SAINTS EDGE MUSTANGS, 8-6, FOR EMMANUEL'S SEASON WIN RECORD

BOSTON, Mass. – The Emmanuel College Women's Lacrosse Team defeated Mount Ida College, 8-6, on Saturday afternoon in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action played on Roberto Clemente Field.  The win was the Saints' sixth of the year, setting a new Emmanuel program-record for wins in a single season.  The Saints improved to 6-2 overall and 3-2 in conference play, while the loss dropped Mount Ida to 4-7 on the season and 2-4 in GNAC games.

The host Saints put together a seven-goal first half, surging out to a 7-2 lead at the break.  However, the Mustangs held Emmanuel scoreless for the first twenty-eight minutes of second half action, while going on a 4-goal offensive run to bring the spread to 7-6 in the final minutes of play.  Emmanuel was able to net one final goal on a free position shot with 2:06 left on the clock and the Saints pulled out the 8-6 win.

The two teams played scoreless lacrosse for the first eight minutes of the game.  Mount Ida struck first with a goal by Kaitlyn Affhauser (Cheshire, Mass.) off an assist from Amanda Bowen (Randolph, Vt.) at 21:50.  The Saints then went on a six-goal run over the next twenty minutes to take a 6-1 lead with 90 seconds left in the half.

During the run, the Saints got two-straight markers from freshman Sarah Higgins (Groveland, Mass.), with one off an assist from Sarah Wootten (Berlin, Md.) and one unassisted tally.  The balanced attack also featured goals from Alexia Basile (West Hartford, Conn.), Kristen Tuleja (Mansfield, Mass.) and Madeline Leahy (Cohasset, Mass.), which brought the score to 6-1 with 1:29 left on the clock.

Mount Ida freshman Maile Melvin (Hebron, Conn.) scored unassisted with 41 seconds left, before Emmanuel's Monica Burdick (Pawcatuck, Conn.) found the back of the net after a nice pass from Higgins with 26 seconds remaining and the Saints led 7-2 at the half.

The Mustangs came out of the break with newfound momentum, as they went on a four-goal tear, which began less than two minutes into the frame.  Bowen scored three goals during the run, with two assists coming from Melvin.  Junior Molly Sheppard (Brookhaven, N.Y.) also scored on a free position try, as the visitors trailed by one goal with just under seven minutes remaining.

Scoreless play ensued over the following four minutes, before Wootten netted her second free position shot of the season and Emmanuel came away with the 8-6 win.

Freshman goalie Lauren White (Lynnfield, Mass.) earned her sixth win of the season for the Saints, making 12 saves on Mount Ida's 18 shots on goal.  Higgins tallied a team-high 4 groundballs for the Saints.

Senior goalie Kayla Musty (Topsham, Vt.) made 7 saves in the effort for the Mustangs.  Alexandria Milot (Tiverton, R.I.) recorded a game-high 8 groundballs for Mount Ida.

The Mustangs led the Saints in groundballs, 27-17.  The two teams were tied, with each winning eight draw controls.

The Saints are back in action this Monday night, April 8, when they host the Raiders of Rivier University in a make-up contest, rescheduled for 7:00 PM.  Mount Ida will play at Norwich University on Wednesday afternoon in a 4:00 PM start.