KEENE, N.H. – The New England College women's lacrosse team were on the road to face some in state competition against the Owls of Keene State College at Owl Athletic Complex in non-conference action on Thursday in Keene, New Hampshire.

THE BASICS
Score:                    New England College 4, Keene State College 16
Records:               Pilgrims 3-4, 1-2 GNAC | Owls 5-3, 0-0 LEC

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The game began at a fast pace with the Owls wasting no time to get themselves onto the scoreboard in the early stages of the game with just 32 seconds taken off the clock, having 14:28 remaining in the first quarter.
• 'Grims retaliated 3:39 later with a goal of their own after a successful clear was made that led to sophomore midfielder Mackenzie McDonald (Boscawen, N.H.) finding the cutting sophomore attacker Meadow Gilchrist (Stamford, Conn.) scoring her 10^th goal of the season evening up the score at 1-1.
• KSC took control for the remainder of the quarter scoring three goals to take the 4-1 lead to finish off the first quarter of play.
• The scoring for the Owls didn't cease there as they tacked on an additional goal at 14:10 of the second quarter that presented them a 5-1 lead as they were on a 4-0 run. Shortly after at 11:54 the 'Grims found a way to stop the bleeding fighting to get themselves back into the game with graduate midfielder Cassie Kelly (Alexandria, Minn.) driving in for the NEC goal that awarded her 17^th goal of the season bringing the team within three, 5-2.
• From that point on the Owls continued to impose their will on the 'Grims as they proceeded in finding the back of the net on two more occasions to extend the lead out 7-2 going into the half.
• Third quarter had KSC written all over it with defense shining as they allowed no goals to be scored as the 'Grims offense continued to struggle in this one. They managed to score six more goals that further expanded their command of the game, 13-2.
• With a green card being assessed to the Owls at 14:30 of the fourth quarter bestowed NEC with a golden chance to finally get something to go in their favor as senior attacker Nathalie Antigua (North Brunswick, N.J.) scored off the man-up opportunity for her 19^th of the season with the score now at 13-3.
• The Owls didn't take their feet off the gas as they buried another two goals with 9:02 remaining in the final quarter of action but less than two minutes after senior attacker Jacqueline Nee (Manchester, N.H.) got the team on the scoreboard once more acquiring her 9^th goal of the season assisted by Gilchrist, 4-15.
• KSC concluded the game with the final goal to make their win a convincing one on the evening ending in 4-16 victory for the owls.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Turnovers proved to be issues for the 'Grims as they committed 20 compared to the Owls 12 having nine occur in the first quarter.
• KSC fifth year midfielder Halie Ratajack (Brewster, N.Y.) was the difference maker for the Owls scoring an impressive six goals while junior attacker Lola Smith (West Hartford, Conn.) followed up with three goals and two assists.
• NEC senior goalkeeper Carleigh Knotts (Dover, Del.) did all she could in cage for the 'Grims collecting 12 saves.
• KSC sophomore goalkeeper Mabelle Bessette (Belchertown, Mass.) had five saves and sophomore goalkeeper Sarah Howe (Turnbridge, Vt.) gathered four saves.
• Shots were not in favor of the 'Grims as the Owls got the better of them in that department ending 34 to 22.

 
UP NEXT

• NEC is back on the field on Saturday for a conference matchup in Nashua, N.H. against Rivier University on Saturday at 12:00 p.m.
• KSC will be hosting the University of Southern Maine on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

For continuing coverage of New England College Athletics, visit athletics.nec.edu and follow the Pilgrims on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.