HENNIKER, N.H. - The New England College women's lacrosse team opened its 2026 campaign in dominant fashion Saturday, rolling past Gordon College 17-4, in non-conference action.
Senior Meadow Gilchrist (Stamford, Conn.) struck just two minutes in, finishing a feed from freshman Camryn Coutts (Gilford, N.H.) for her first collegiate assist. NEC added goals from sophomore Riley Davis (Weare, N.H.), senior Mackenzie McDonald (Boscawen, N.H.), and Gilchrist to build a 4-0 lead. The Fighting Scots looked to get on the board, as Nathalie Whitehouse fired a shot that was saved by freshman goalkeeper Tatum Villa (Framingham, Mass.) as the Pilgrims held the advantage after one.
Gordon would make a goalie substitution to open the second quarter, but Gilchrist found the back of the net thirty seconds into the frame to spark a five-goal run for the Pilgrims. Juniors Carmela Goodwin (Lebanon, N.H.) and Alexis Hornsby (Atkinson, N.H.), along with Davis and Coutts, all found the net as the 'Grims stormed ahead 9-0. The Fighting Scots continued to battle, but the NEC defense applied the pressure, causing several turnovers and limiting their scoring chances. Jocelyn Noyes and Hannah Bilowz each found the back of the net for Gordon to cut the lead, but NEC carried a commanding 9-2 lead into halftime.
Davis and Coutts each scored in the opening minutes, and freshman Sydney Bailey (Boscawen, N.H.) added her first collegiate goal as NEC stretched the margin to 12-2. The 'Grims defense continued to force turnover after turnover, denying the Fighting Scots any chance to fire a shot on frame. Davis and Gilchrist each scored down the stretch, as McDonald scored on a man-up advantage, giving the Pilgrims a 15-2 lead entering the fourth quarter.
McDonald netted her third goal of the game early in the quarter to push the 'Grims ahead, while freshman Kendall Purtell (Epsom, N.H.) added her first collegiate goal to further extend the lead. Gordon continued to rally, firing shots late down the stretch, but Villa made the saves. Bilowz took a free position attempt for the Fighting Scots, which led to her second goal of the game, but the damage had already been done as the Pilgrims cruised to a 17-4 win.
Eight 'Grims scored in the win while Gilchrist, McDonald, and Hornsby each dished out two assists. Goodwin finished the afternoon with five draw controls, three caused turnovers, and three ground balls. Villa earned her first collegiate win in net for NEC, tallying 10 saves.
The Pilgrims travel south for Spring Break, as they face New College of Florida on Wednesday March 4th at 4:00 PM in Sarasota, Florida.
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