SAINTS CRUISE PAST UMAINE FARMINGTON, 16-4

BOSTON, Mass. – The Emmanuel Saints rolled to a 16-4 win over the visiting Beavers of University of Maine - Farmington on Thursday night in non-conference women's lacrosse action played at Roberto Clemente Field.  The victory was the third-straight for the host Saints, who improved to 7-2 on the season.  The loss dropped UMF to 2-4 overall.

Sophomore Kristen Tuleja (Mansfield, Mass.) and junior Sarah Wootten (Berlin, Md.) combined for 13 points to lead Emmanuel.  Tuleja fired in 4 goals and dished out 3 helpers, while Wootten connected on 2 of her 3 shots on goal and dished out a game-high 4 assists in the win.  Sophomore middie Sarah Higgins (Groveland, Mass.) scored 3 times, tallied 1 assist and led the field with 5 groundballs on the night.

Maine-Farmington got two late goals from sophomore middie Mara Balboni (Oakland, Me.) to lead the way for the Beavers.  Balboni also led UMF with 4 groundballs on the night.

The Saints opened the night with a spree of six-consecutive tallies, kicked off with a goal by Higgins just 50 seconds into the action.  UMF responded with their first goal of the night coming off the stick of Jaclyn Langevin (Bow, N.H.) in the 21st minute to set the score at 6-1.  Emmanuel struck back immediately, when Tuleja netted her 30th goal of the season with 8:02 remaining in the half.  Wootten would score once more before the break and the Saints held an 8-1 advantage at halftime.

The second frame opened with five quick goals in under seven minutes for the hosts.  The Saints built a 16-1 lead with 11 minutes remaining, before the Beavers went on a late three-goal run to end the night.

Alexia Basile (West Hartford, Conn.) and Amanda Cook (Saco, Me.) each scored twice for EC.  Abaigeal Merrigan (Rye, N.H.), Monica Burdick (Stonington, Conn.) and Emily Baker (Stratham, N.H.) also scored goals for the Saints in the win.

Sophomore goalie Lauren White (Lynnfield, Mass.) notched her 7th win of the season, making 5 stops in 60 minutes of action.  Senior goalie Hannah Goodenow (Freeport, Me.) took the loss for the Beavers, also making 5 saves in the effort.

Emmanuel returns to Great Northeast Athletic Conference play this Saturday, when the Saints travel to Mount Ida College for a 1:00 PM start.  UMF plays at New England College on Saturday in North Atlantic Conference action beginning at 4:00 PM.