HIGGINS, TULEJA LIFT SAINTS OVER PRIDE, 10-8

BOSTON, Mass. – Juniors Sarah Higgins (Groveland, Mass.) and Kristen Tuleja (Mansfield, Mass.) netted four goals apiece to power the Emmanuel College Women's Lacrosse Team past Regis College, 10-8, on Thursday night at Roberto Clemente Field.  The non-conference win boosted the Saints to 5-1 on the season, while the Pride fell to 2-3 overall.  The Saints now hold a 3-2 edge in the all-time series between these two programs.

This was the Saints' second consecutive win in as many days, with both coming under torrential downpours throughout the night.  Trailing 3-0 early and 5-1 late in the second half, Emmanuel rattled off six unanswered goals to come from behind and take a 7-5 lead with 22:44 left in the game.  The Saints would take a three-goal lead, their largest of the night, following a free position score from Tuleja with ten minutes remaining, before holding on for the 10-8 win.

Junior Sam Salamone (Milford, Mass.) scored her first of four goals on the night, just 48 seconds into the action.  Grace Politis (Billerica, Mass.) and Sierra Luce (Hartford, Vt.) tacked on a goal each for Regis, giving the Pride a 3-0 advantage in the early-going.

Higgins then got the Saints on the board midway through the opening half, before Politis and Salamone struck again for Regis, bringing the spread to 5-1.  Higgins scored unassisted with 7:52 to go in the half and Tuleja scored twice in the final two minutes of the frame to set the score at 5-4 at the break.

Four minutes into the second half, the sophomore tandem of Emily Baker (Stratham, N.H.) and Amanda Cook (Saco, Me.) combined for an EC tally.  Tuleja and Higgins would then find the back of the net to cap a 6-0 drive for the Saints, giving EC a 7-5 edge.

Salamone and Higgins traded markers at opposite ends, forging an 8-6 spread.  Tuleja and Politis then traded free position scores, setting the score at 9-7, Saints, with less than seven minutes to play.

The Saints would score once more before it was over, as Tuleja picked up her fifth point of the night on an assist to a cutting Madison Altwies (Southington, Conn.) in front of the net.

Regis got one final tally from Salamone with just 15 seconds remaining, but the Saints pulled out the rainy 10-8 victory.

With four goals on the night, Tuleja notched her 30th-consecutive multi-goal game. The four-goal outing also marked the 16th career game with four or more goals for EC's all-time leading scorer.  Playing in just her second game this season, Higgins has now netted seven goals in the past 48 hours.  Senior captain Sarah Wootten (Berlin, Md.) dished out a pair of assists for the Saints and won a game-high four draw controls in the win.

Salamone and Politis combined for seven of the eight Regis goals, while also combining for six groundballs and five draw controls.

Junior goalie Lauren White (Lynnfield, Mass.) picked up the win in net for the Saints, improving to 5-1 on the season. White stopped 12 Regis shots and picked up a team-high seven groundballs.

Junior goalie Emma Decker (Southborough, Mass.) took the loss for the Pride, but made 11 saves in the effort.

The Saints will return to GNAC action this Saturday, when they travel to Northfield, Vt. for a 4:00 PM meeting with Norwich University.  The Pride will host Simmons College on Saturday in a 1:00 PM start.