NASHUA, N.H. - Senior Mackenzie McDonald (Boscawen, N.H.) capitalized on a free-position shot in the closing seconds, netting the game-winner as the New England College women's lacrosse team earned a key 12-11 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) victory over Rivier University on Wednesday evening. With the win, the Pilgrims close the regular season at 11-6 overall and 7-6 in conference play.
The Raiders struck first, converting a free position shot for an early 1-0 lead and doubling it at the 5:52 mark. Junior Carmela Goodwin (Lebanon, N.H.) sparked a three-goal run for the Pilgrims, scoring the first goal of the game for the visitors. Freshman Camryn Coutts (Gilford, N.H.) and junior Alexis Hornsby (Atkinson, N.H.) followed with goals to give the 'Grims a 3-2 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
Senior Meadow Gilchrist (Stamford, Conn.) added to the scoring just 30 seconds into the second frame, pushing NEC's lead to two. Two minutes later, sophomore Riley Davis (Weare, N.H.) found the net, and McDonald followed with a goal to stretch the lead to four. Ashlynn Ledoux responded for Rivier at the eight-minute mark, and Olivia Wheeler added another to trim the lead to two. The Raiders kept the pressure on, scoring with under two minutes remaining to cut NEC's lead to one heading into halftime.
Davis found Gilchrist early in the second half to put the Pilgrims up by two. The Raiders answered midway through the frame to cut the lead to one, but Coutts responded just 20 seconds later with her second goal of the game, restoring the two-goal advantage. Rivier pushed to close the gap with a flurry of shots on goal, but freshman goalkeeper Tatum Villa (Framingham, Mass.) made the saves. Freshman Sydney Bailey (Boscawen, N.H.) then finished a feed from Gilchrist, extending the 'Grims lead to 9-6 heading into the final quarter.
The teams battled throughout the final frame, trading shots in the opening minutes. McDonald connected with Gilchrist, who netted her third of the game, followed by a free-position shot that McDonald sent past the Raiders goalkeeper to give the 'Grims a five-goal lead. The Raiders rallied late, scoring four straight to cut the Pilgrims' advantage to one as Kaycie Hudon scored to tie the game at 11-11 with 1:23 remaining to play. McDonald capitalized on a Raiders foul, converting a free-position shot to give NEC a 12-11 lead. Sophomore Jamie Blondin (Oakville, Ont.) then secured a crucial draw control in the closing seconds, helping the Pilgrims hold on for the 12-11 victory.
McDonald paced the offense with three goals and three assists for six points and added five draw controls. Gilchrist tallied three goals and one assist for four points along with three ground balls, two caused turnovers, and four draw controls. Blondin chipped in three ground balls, one caused turnover, and three draw controls as Villa finished the evening with 12 saves.
The Pilgrims now turn their focus to postseason play, securing the seventh seed in the GNAC playoffs. They will travel to Boston, Massachusetts on Saturday to face second-seeded Emmanuel College, with a 1:00 PM start.
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