HENNIKER, N.H. – The New England College women's lacrosse team nabs their third Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) win against visiting University of Saint Joseph at Don Melander Field in Henniker, New Hampshire.
 
THE BASICS
Score: New England College 21, University of Saint Joseph 10
Records: Pilgrims 5-4, 3-0 GNAC | Blue Jays 1-7, 0-3 GNAC
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• In the first quarter of action things were closely contested throughout the entirety of the outing as the score concluded in a 5-5 tie. USJ managed to score the first goal of the game but was responded by the 'Grims quickly with two back-to-back goals that came from two of the team's top scorers on the season in junior attacker Mackenzie McDonald (Boscawen, N.H.) and junior attacker Meadow Gilchrist (Stamford, Conn.). The Blue Jays tacked on an additional goal to knot the score back up but the 'Grims continued to find ways to score firing off three more goals that would come from none other than Gilchrist and sophomore midfielder Carmela Goodwin (Lebanon, N.H.) who was responsible for two of them with 4:50 remaining on the clock. NEC would lose the momentum that they obtained for themselves and let things slip defensively as the Blue Jays went on a 3-0 run to finish out the quarter, 5-5.
• After the run the Blue Jays went on in the previously quarter, NEC bounced back in the second quarter to get the momentum to swing back into their favor. The 'Grims made their presence known right out of the gate, scoring the first three goals of the quarter thanks to the likes of Goodwin and McDonald. From there USJ would get past the NEC defense on two different occasions. USJ freshmen midfielder Kaylynn Lapointe (Bristol, Conn.) would shorten the deficit for a short period of time but not without graduate midfielder Annalisa Crooks (Nantucket, Mass.) finding the back of the net at 6:48. Lapointe would continue to make an attempt to will the Blue Jays back into the game with another goal shortening the NEC lead to two goals, 9-7. Before the conclusion of the quarter, NEC would have the last laugh with the time remaining going on a 3-0 run that would close out the quarter in their favor gathering a five-goal lead going into halftime, 12-7.
• The Blue Jays tried to get their footing back in the game as the visitors had some work to make up for if they hoped to get back into the game. USJ scored the first two goals trying to put a dent into the deficit created just for it to be stretched out once again with the 'Grims continuing to fire on all cylinders controlling the quarter, scoring the last four goals for a seven-goal lead, 16-9. NEC continued to keep their foot on the gas as no let up was shown on their behalf as the 'Grims scored an additional five goals to guarantee that the win would be assured as the team defeated USJ for their third consecutive conference win on the season.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• NEC senior goalkeeper Isabella Marzano (Warwick, R.I.) stood strong in between the pipes collecting 12 saves.
• The goalkeeping was split on the day for the Blue Jays as junior goalkeeper Colleen Stringer (Point Lookout, N.Y.) played the majority of the game where she collected 11 saves while freshman goalkeeper Erika Horne (Danielson, Conn.) had three saves.
• Shots were in favor of the 'Grims, 53-33.
• Today's game was truly a team effort from the top three 'Grims in points who continue to make their presence known in each and every game in Gilchrist, McDonald, and Goodwin. Gilchrist recorded the game-high in points with eight off of five goals and three assists. McDonald scored five goals with two assists for seven points. Goodwin earned all seven of her points with seven goals which proved to be the game-high.
• NEC freshman midfielder Jamie Blondin (Oakville, Ont.) secured her first career goal as a 'Grim in the conference clash.
• USJ's Lapointe did all she could for the Blue Jays finishing with four goals.

UP NEXT

• NEC is back on the field on Saturday, March 29^th for another GNAC outing when they compete against the Saint Joseph's College of Maine Monks at 4:00 PM from SJC Athletics Complex in Standish, Maine.
• USJ plays their next game at Elms College on Saturday, March 29^th at 4:00 PM Timothy J. Leary Field in Chicopee, Massachusetts.

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