FRANKLIN, MASS. - Senior Meadow Gilchrist (Stamford, Conn.) and junior Alexis Hornsby (Atkinson, N.H.) netted five goals apiece as the New England College women's lacrosse team picked up their fourth Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) win over Dean College 21-9.
Emma Mock opened the scoring Saturday afternoon, giving the Bulldogs an early 1-0 lead. Hornsby responded just minutes later to even the score at 1-1, sparking a dominant run for NEC. Gilchrist pushed the 'Grims ahead 3-1 with back-to-back goals. Senior Mackenzie McDonald (Boscawen, N.H.) extended the Pilgrims' lead late in the quarter, but Bella McQuade converted a man-up free-position opportunity to cut the deficit to two. Gilchrist answered immediately, completing her hat trick, and NEC closed the quarter with a surge as McDonald and Hornsby each found the back of the net in the final minute to give the visitors a 7-2 advantage after one.
The 'Grims carried their momentum into the second quarter, as McDonald and Hornsby each completed their hat tricks just two minutes in. Gilchrist then forced a Bulldogs turnover and quickly capitalized with her fourth goal of the game. Sophomore Riley Davis (Weare, N.H.) added to the stat sheet with a goal of her own, extending NEC's advantage. The teams exchanged goals down the stretch, with freshman Camryn Coutts (Gilford, N.H.) and sophomore Lilly Vaughn (Belmont, N.H.) each finding the back of the net. Hornsby capped the scoring with her fourth goal of the game, sending the 'Grims into halftime with a 14-5 lead.
NEC continued to control the offensive end in the third quarter, as Davis netted a pair of goals and Vaughn added another to stretch the 'Grims advantage to double digits. Caroline Ramsey chipped away at the 'Grims lead with a free-position goal, but the Pilgrims closed out the quarter with a commanding 17-6 lead.
The 'Grims wasted no time extending their lead in the final quarter, as sophomore Jamie Blondin (Oakville, Ont.) converted a free-position shot just 30 seconds in. Minutes later, Gilchrist and junior Carmela Goodwin (Lebanon, N.H.) each added goals to keep the offense rolling. Hornsby found the back of the net midway through the frame, continuing NEC's balanced attack. Ramsey answered for the Bulldogs with her third goal of the game, and Mock followed with another a minute later. Dean added one more goal in the closing seconds, but the Pilgrims secured the 21-9 win.
Gilchrist recorded five goals and added four ground balls, three caused turnovers, and three draw controls. Hornsby tallied five goals, an assist, five ground balls, and five draw controls while McDonald added a game-high three assists, along with three goals, four ground balls, two caused turnovers, and five draw controls. In net, freshman Tatum Villa (Framingham, Mass.) only allowed five goals, while senior Isabella Marzano (Warwick, R.I.) added a save and a ground ball in relief to help secure the win.
The Pilgrims are back in action on Tuesday, traveling to New London for a 7:00 PM conference matchup against in-state rival Colby-Sawyer.
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