SAINTS NIP BISON, 9-8, IN WOMEN’S LACROSSE HOME OPENER

BOSTON, Mass. – The Emmanuel College Women's Lacrosse Team edged the visiting Bison of Nichols College, 9-8, in the Saints' home opener at Roberto Clemente Field on Monday night.  The host Saints used a man-up opportunity to score the go-ahead goal with eight minutes remaining and held on for the non-conference win.  With the victory, Emmanuel improves to 2-0 on the season, while Nichols falls to 0-3 with the loss.

The contest was played evenly throughout, with the two clubs battling to a 3-3 tie through the opening half.  The Bison struck first with a goal by Alyssa Bufis (Linden, N.J.) just four minutes into the game.  The Saints evened the score with an unassisted goal by Christina Vickers (Medford, Mass.) just two minutes later.  Sophomore midfielder Alexia Basile (West Hartford, Conn.) gave the Saints their first lead of the night, scoring off an assist from classmate Madison Altwies (Southington, Conn.), as Emmanuel led 2-1 at 22:32.

Nichols attack Grace Murphy (Montclair, Va.) then scored her first of five goals on the night to knot the spread at 2-all just nine minutes into the game.  Altwies would connect on a free position shot and Erica Antonison (Albertson, N.Y.) netted one at the other end for the Bison and the two teams went into the break tied at 3-3.

Murphy opened up the second half scoring with a goal just 88 seconds into the frame.  EC freshman Kristen Tuleja (Mansfield, Mass.) hit one for the Saints to tie things back up at 4-all.  The Saints then scored twice more, taking their largest lead of the night, with goals from Basile and another from Tuleja, as the hosts led, 6-4, with 20 minutes remaining.

Antonison scored her second goal of the night for the Bison and Vickers did the same for the Saints, before Murphy netted two more in a span of just 37 seconds, as the game reached its fifth tie of the night (7-7).

A penalty on Nichols led to a man-up opportunity for the Saints and Altwies was successful on her second free position shot of the night, firing the ball past Nichols goalie AnneMarie Fana (Lawrence, Mass.).  The Saints would add to their 8-7 advantage, when freshman middie Sarah Higgins (Groveland, Mass.) netted her free position try with 6:20 remaining in the game.

Murphy connected on her fifth goal of the night, cutting the Bison deficit to one goal at 9-8 with 1:56 on the clock.  The Saints' defense battled down the stretch and held the visitors scoreless for the final two minutes, as Emmanuel held on for the 9-8 win.

Freshman goalie Lauren White (Lynnfield, Mass.) earned the win in the cage for the Saints, making 10 saves.  Fana took the loss for the Bison, but made 3 stops in the effort.

Nichols out-shot Emmanuel, 30-20, on the night, including holding a 20-13 shooting advantage in the second half.  The Bison led the Saints in groundballs, 22-20.  The Saints held a 13-6 lead in draw controls.

Tuleja, Vickers, Altwies and Basile each scored twice for the Saints. Higgins scored once and dished out an assist, while Altwies and Madeline Leahy (Cohasset, Mass.) also recorded assists in the win.  Higgins led the Saints defensively with a team-high 5 groundballs.

Murphy connected on all five of her shots on goal for the Bison, bringing her season total to 10 goals in three games. Murphy and Stephanie Mathewson (Simsbury, Conn.) led Nichols with 5 groundballs apiece.

Emmanuel will play at home again on Wednesday night, when the Saints host the Raiders of Rivier University at 7:00 PM.  The Bison will travel to Massachusetts Maritime Academy on Wednesday for a 7:00 PM start.