MANCHESTER, N.H. – Southern Connecticut women's lacrosse defeated #20 Saint Anselm, 17-9 in an NE10 matchup on Saturday afternoon. The Hawks dropped to an overall record of 9-6 and an NE10 record of 4-4. The Owls improved to an overall record of 12-3 and an NE10 record of 6-2. It was the first time in program history that Southern Connecticut defeated Saint Anselm. In addition, the Owls recorded their 12th victory of the season, as it was a new program record for wins in a single season.
Abigail Nolan led the Owls with five goals and six points.
Rebecca Sibley scored three goals, while
Allie Welder,
Macy Vail and
Taryn Ugrin had two goals each.
Madison Olmstead,
Anna Meserve and
Bailey McDermott all scored a goal.
Mia Hartmann, Olmstead and Nolan all led the Owls with an assist.
Anna Meserve won a team-best of three draws.
McKenzie Schindler, Sibley and Meserve all picked up a team-best of two ground balls.
Sabina Robson,
Sammy Sleve, Vail, McDermott and Hartmann all caused a turnover. In goal,
Caelan Connors recorded six saves against the Hawks.
In the first quarter, the Owls got off to a strong start with a goal from
Taryn Ugrin, in the first minute of play. Then, a minute later,
Abigail Nolan got her first goal of the game, from the free-position spot. After that, Ugrin scored her second goal of the day, with an assist from Nolan. Shortly after,
Rebecca Sibley scored her first goal, from the free-position spot, to take a 4-0 lead over the Hawks, just five minutes in. Saint Anselm scored three goals before the quarter ended; however, Southern held onto a close, 4-3 lead, as they headed into the second quarter.
In the second quarter, the Hawks tied the game, 4-4, with 10 minutes left. Then,
Abigail Nolan responded with back-to-back-to-back goals, to secure the lead in favor of the Owls. With a minute to go,
Macy Vail scored her first goal of the game, from the free position, to extend the lead for Southern. Saint Anselm recorded a goal, right before the Owls headed into halftime with an 8-5 advantage.
In the third quarter,
Allie Welder scored her first goal of the game, with 11 minutes to go. However, the Hawks didn't go away as they scored back-to-back goals and got within two of the Owls. Then, Southern Connecticut scored five unanswered goals to end the quarter.
Rebecca Sibley,
Madison Olmstead,
Macy Vail,
Allie Welder and
Bailey McDermott all scored goals and extended the Owls' lead to 15-7, heading into the fourth.
In the fourth quarter, Saint Anselm scored quickly, as they looked to make a comeback.
Anna Meserve responded with her first goal of the day, as the Owls went up by eight, yet again, with 13 minutes left to play.
Abigail Nolan scored her fifth goal of the game and helped Southern increase their lead, to 17-8. The Hawks scored their ninth goal of the game, but the Owls held on to get the 17-9 victory, to secure the first win in program history over Saint Anselm.
The Owls will travel to Garden City, NY on Tuesday, April 21 at 5:00 pm in an NE10 matchup against #12 Adelphi, in their regular season finale.
