HENNIKER, N.H. – The New England College women's lacrosse team couldn't pull off the senior day victory against the visiting Monks of Saint Joseph's College of Maine in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action on Saturday at Don Melander Field in Henniker, New Hampshire.
 
THE BASICS
Score:                    Saint Joseph College of Maine 14, New England College 4
Records:               Monks 10-3, 6-1 GNAC | Pilgrims 5-8, 2-6 GNAC
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Things got off to a quick start for the Monks as they struck first in just 19 seconds of play as freshman Dinah Wadleigh (Augusta, Maine) was credited with the goal after shortly winning the draw control to put her team up.
• Later in the first quarter at 5:53 senior attacker Nathalie Antigua (North Brunswick, N.J.) was issued a yellow card that led to a scoring opportunity for the Monks once again as freshman Taylor Dumond made the pass over to senior Carson Battaglia (Gorham, Maine) for another SJC goal that resulted in the last one to be scored for the quarter.
• The Monks kept their hot start going by tacking on an additional two goals in the second quarter going on a four-goal run. NEC didn't let that stop them as sophomore attacker Meadow Gilchrist (Stamford, Conn.) found a way to draw a foul that allowed for her to earn a free position shot opportunity that turned into a goal making it the 17^th one on the season.
• With just 16 seconds remaining in the quarter graduate midfielder Cassie Kelly (Alexandria, Minn.) took things into her hands driving towards the crease shooting for another NEC goal earning her 32^nd of the season that helped give the 'Grims some momentum going into the half with the score, 5-2 in favor of SJC.
• Going into the third quarter the 'Grims were without one of their top goal scorers on the season in sophomore midfielder Mackenzie McDonald (Boscawen, N.H.) receiving two yellow cards rendering the 'Grims at a disadvantage and the Monks managed to take that into account as they found the back of the net on five different occasions.
• Things began to look worse for the 'Grims when Antigua at 2:27 was assessed her second yellow card forcing her to exit the game as well. A few seconds later at 2:07 SJC scored yet again on a man-up opportunity by Battaglia from Dumond giving the Monks a secure lead going into the final quarter, 11-2.
• In the fourth quarter the 'Grims tried to stop the bleeding by working the ball around until it landed into the stick of senior attacker Jacqueline Nee (Manchester, N.H.) that was assisted by Gilchrist at 8:22. That didn't seem to phase the Monks as they scored two more goals to assure their lead to be maintained.
• The final goal of the game was scored by Kelly on a free position shot for her 33^rd that unfortunately wouldn't be enough for NEC to secure a win on senior day as the Monks come away with the win on the day, 14-4.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• NEC senior goalkeeper Carleigh Knotts (Dover, Del.) finished her outing with 16 saves in between the pipes.
• SJC sophomore Alexis Eldridge (Effingham, N.H.) concluded with five saves, freshman Julia Price (Newbury, Mass.) and junior Morgan Wright (Chelmsford, Mass.) gathered one goal each respectively.
• The Monks were able to let off more shots on the day with 39 while 18 was accounted for by the 'Grims.
• SJC were nearly perfect on clears going 20-for-24 and NEC went 14-for-21.
• The draw control battle was even on both sides as both teams earned 11.

SENIOR DAY

• Prior to the game, Antigua, Kelly, Nee, Knotts were joined by senior midfielder Keegan Finley (Fredericksburg, Va.) and senior midfielder Annalisa Crooks (Nantucket, Mass.) were recognized by the women's lacrosse team and the NEC athletics department as part of Senior Day. The six were honored by coaches, teammates, family members and fans for all of their accomplishments at NEC both on and off the field. Although their time with the program may be coming to an end, they will forever be a part of the 'Grims family.

UP NEXT

• NEC is back on the field on Tuesday, April 16^th 7:00 p.m. from Timothy J. Leary Field when they take on the Blazers of Elms College.
• SJC plays their next game at Regis College April 16^th 7:00 p.m. from Regis Stadium.

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