HENNIKER, N.H. - The New England College women's lacrosse team suffered a 16-11 loss to Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) foe Lasell University on Wednesday afternoon.
The Lasers notched the first goal of the game to take an early lead and later doubled the advantage, but junior Alexis Hornsby (Atkinson, N.H.) got the 'Grims on the board. Lasell quickly answered to extend their lead to two, but sophomore Riley Davis (Weare, N.H.) scored on a free position shot to keep the lead to one. Senior Meadow Gilchrist (Stamford, Conn.) responded a minute later to tie the score at 3-3, but Emily Watson found the back of the net in the closing seconds to give the Lasers a 4-3 after one.
Lasell scored 59 seconds into the second frame, but Hornsby connected with freshman Camryn Coutts (Gilford, N.H.) who scored to keep it a one-goal game. Lasell answered with back-to-back goals, followed by another goal from Watson to extend the cushion to four. Davis scored midway through to trim the lead to three, but Watson responded with a goal to give the visitors a four-goal lead at halftime.
Ruby Cahill scored two minutes into the second half to extend Lasell's lead, but Gilchrist answered with a goal. The Lasers responded a minute later, followed by goals from Cahill and Mara Boldy to carry a 13-6 lead into the final frame.
Gilchrist connected with Davis at the 12:03 mark, netting her 50th career goal as a 'Grim to cut the lead, and followed minutes later with another goal. Emma Dressel quickly responded with a goal to further extend the lead, but senior Mackenzie McDonald (Boscawen, N.H.) answered for the Pilgrims with a score. Sophomore Lilly Vaughn (Belmont, N.H.) capitalized on a free position attempt, finding Davis, who scored to trim the lead to four goals. Watson and Lily Hunt each added goals down the stretch to push the Lasers' lead to six, as Davis found the back of the net with 25 seconds left to push her goal total to six, but Lasell secured the 16-11 victory.
Davis led the offense with six goals while Gilchrist tallied a four-point game with two goals and two assists and chipped in six draw controls, two ground balls, and two caused turnovers. McDonald recorded a game-high nine draw controls and added one goal and two assists. Freshman Tatum Villa (Framingham, Mass.) finished the afternoon with 11 saves in net.
The Pilgrims travel to New London, Connecticut, on Saturday to face Mitchell College at 12:00 PM.
For continuing coverage of New England College Athletics, visit athletics.nec.edu and follow the Pilgrims on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.