HENNIKER, N.H. - The New England College women's lacrosse team earned its first Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) victory of the season on Wednesday afternoon, cruising past Elms College, 18-4.
Senior Meadow Gilchrist (Stamford, Conn.) wasted no time opening the scoring, finding the back of the net just 53 seconds into the game off of a feed from senior Mackenzie McDonald (Boscawen, N.H.). Gilchrist added two more goals in the opening frame, while junior Alexis Hornsby (Atkinson, N.H.), sophomore Lilly Vaughn (Belmont, N.H.), and McDonald each tallied a goal as the Pilgrims jumped out to a commanding 6-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Vaughn recorded her second goal of the afternoon just 50 seconds into the second quarter, assisted by junior Carmela Goodwin (Lebanon, N.H.). Sophomore Riley Davis (Weare, N.H.) capitalized on a man-up opportunity for her first goal of the game, and later added two more goals in the quarter. Freshman Camryn Coutts (Gilford, N.H.) and Goodwin scored as NEC extended its advantage to 12-1 at halftime. Rachel Dort accounted for the Blazers' lone goal in the first half.
The 'Grims continued their offensive surge in the third with Coutts scoring twice early in the quarter. Hornsby and Gilchrist would each add a goal late to push the lead further for the Pilgrims. Gilchrist connected with freshman Ayla Paley (Warwick, R.I.) who netted her first career goal, giving NEC a 17-1 lead heading into the final quarter.
Dort converted two free-position attempts for Elms to lead the Blazers with three goals. Davis responded with her fourth goal of the game for the Pilgrims while Jackie Cronin added a late tally for the Blazers, but the 'Grims closed out the afternoon with a decisive 18-4 victory.
Gilchrist recorded four goals, a game-high five assists, and three ground balls while Davis added four goals, one assist, three ground balls, and two caused turnovers. Hornsby controlled the draw throughout the game, recording a game-high eight draw controls, along with four ground balls, five caused turnovers, and two goals. Freshman Tatum Villa (Framingham, Mass.) secured her fourth career win and tallied two saves, while senior Isabella Marzano (Warwick, R.I.) added one save in relief for Villa in the second half.
The Pilgrims continue conference action as they host Simmons University on Saturday at 1:00 PM on Don Melander Field.
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