MONKS COME FROM BEHIND TO NIP SAINTS, 7-6

BOSTON, Mass. – Saint Joseph's College stretched its win streak to nine games with a 7-6 win over Emmanuel College in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) women's lacrosse action played under the lights on Roberto Clemente Field on Monday night.  The GNAC battle, a rematch of last year's conference title game, featured the visiting Monks outscoring the hosts Saints 6-1 in the second half to come from behind and claim the victory.

With the win, Saint Joseph's improves to 9-1 on the season and stays perfect against conference opponents at 6-0, while Emmanuel falls to 8-2 overall and 4-2 in league play.  Saint Joe's now leads the all-time series with Emmanuel, 5-2.

The Saints, who topped the Monks, 17-7, to capture last season's GNAC Championship, carried all the momentum in the first half, powering out to a 3-0 lead over the first 18 minutes of action.  Sophomore Emily Baker (Stratham, N.H.) opened the scoring with an unassisted man-down marker just ten minutes into the game.  Baker then picked up an assist on a score by senior captain Sarah Wootten (Berlin, Md.) to make it a 2-0 game.  Junior Kristen Tuleja (Mansfield, Mass.) found Sarah Higgins (Groveland, Mass.), who scored a third for the Saints to set the spread at 3-0, before Saint Joe's got on the board.

Senior captain Lizzie Calnan (Westport, Mass.) struck first for the Monks, an unassisted marker, which would be Saint Joseph's lone goal of the half.  Tuleja, who earned her 4th consecutive GNAC Weekly Honor Roll selection this week, then scored on a free position shot for the Saints.  Wootten was assisted by Higgins with under four minutes to go in the half and Emmanuel took a 5-1 lead into the break at halftime.

The two squads each fired off 11 shots in the first half, but Emmanuel was backed by strong first-half defensive play from junior goalie Lauren White (Lynnfield, Mass.), who made six saves in the opening frame. 

The Monks wasted no time battling back in the second stanza.  Junior Mary Leasure (South Portland, Maine) scored her first of a pair of goals on the night just three minutes into the second-half action and this would begin the comeback run for the Monks.  Leasure notched an assist on Kelsey Dumond's (Lewsiton, Maine) goal at 21:53 to set the score at 5-3. 

Saint Joseph's then capitalized on a series of Saints' penalties, scoring two consecutive man-up goals to tie the game at 5-all.  GNAC Player and Rookie of the Week Elyse Caiazzo (Scarborough, Maine) got an assist from Dumond and Leasure picked up one from Courtney Trufant (South Portland, Maine) to knot the game with 16:14 remaining.

Tuleja got the Saints back in front on her second successful free position tally, a man-down goal, and EC led 6-5 with 10:23 on the clock.

Junior Kat Gadbois (Scarborough, Maine) netted the equalizer for the Monks at 7:52 and set the score at 6-all.  The game-winner for Saint Joe's came with 3:25 remaining.  Leasure found sophomore Jackie Wilson (Tiverton, R.I.) open in the crease and the Monks came away with the 7-6 victory.

Sophomore Meghan Fullarton (Windham, Maine) earned the win in goal for Saint Joseph's, making three saves, as she improved to 4-0 on the season.  Leasure finished with four points on the night (2 goals, 2 assists) to lead the Monks' offense.

White took the loss for the Saints, but made 10 saves in the effort. Tuleja finished with three points (2 goals, 1 assist) to lead the way for Emmanuel.

Saint Joseph's dominated the draw controls, winning 13-2. The Monks outshot the Saints 13-2 in the second half, while Emmanuel nearly doubled up Saint Joseph's in groundballs, with a 23-12 advantage.

In a game riddled with fouls, the Saints were called for 36, while the Monks were signaled for 20.  EC also picked up six yellow cards to one for the Monks.

The Saints are back in action this Thursday, April 9th, when they travel to Lasell College for a 4:00 PM start with the Lasers.  The Monks will host Rivier University on Wednesday night in a 7:30 PM, April 8th, start at Deering Memorial Stadium.