Saints Blank USJ in Second Half to Pull Away in 22-8 Win

BOSTON, Mass. - Emmanuel College scored 13 consecutive goals out of halftime to pull away from and defeat University of Saint Joseph (CT), 22-8, Saturday afternoon in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) women’s lacrosse action at Roberto Clemente Field. The Saints led 9-8 at halftime before the second-half barrage to secure the conference victory.

Saints Blank USJ in Second Half to Pull Away in 22-8 Win
Program Video Box Score

Team Stats

April 1, 2023

THE BASICS 
Emmanuel College, 22 vs. Univ. of Saint Joseph (CT), 8

Records: 
Emmanuel Saints (8-1, 5-1 GNAC)
USJ Blue Jays (6-4, 2-4 GNAC)

Location: Boston, Mass. – Roberto Clemente Field

Date: Saturday, April 1, 2023

THE LEAD – Emmanuel College scored 13 consecutive goals out of halftime to pull away from and defeat University of Saint Joseph (CT), 22-8, Saturday afternoon in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) women's lacrosse action at Roberto Clemente Field. The Saints led 9-8 at halftime before the second-half barrage to secure the conference victory.

HOW IT HAPPENED

  • After an exciting first half that ended with Emmanuel holding the 9-8 one-goal lead at halftime, Emmanuel exploded for 13 consecutive goals to finish off the Blue Jays at Clemente Field.
  • EC outscored USJ in the third quarter, 6-0, fueled by two goals by first year Emily Gates (Waterford, Conn.), to give the hosts a 15-8 cushion heading into the fourth.
  • Seven different Saints scored in the fourth as the hosts ran away with the 22-8 victory.
  • In the early goings, the sides traded goals to a 2-2 score over the first 7:34 of the game. Mackenzie Dinger (Hingham, Mass.) and Ashley Rufo (Pittsfield, Mass.) scored bookend goals for USJ between Emmanuel scores from first year Livia Fedele (Spencerport, N.Y.) and Ella Marschitz (Naperville, Ill.).
  • Following the 2-2 deadlock, EC rattled off five straight over the final 6:39 of action in the opening quarter to build a 7-2 advantage with the surge highlighted by a pair of goals from senior Megan Steele (Auburn, Maine).
  • The Blue Jays battled back with a strong second quarter, outscoring the Saints 6-2 in the stanza to pull within a goal at the break. Dinger netted three goals, Rufo two and Kate Miranda (West Hartford, Conn.) accounted for the other USJ score in the period. Rufo's final score came with just seven seconds left in the half to appear to give the visitors momentum into the break but the Saints had other ideas, holding USJ scoreless in the second half en route to the 22-8 final.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

  • Steele led all players with six points on four goals and two assists while Gates, Marschitz, Fedele and junior Maddie Kross (Bolton, Conn.) all posted three goals in the win.
  • Sophomore Isabella Thomas (Miami, Fla.) made five saves to pick up the win in goal and improve to 6-1 on the season.
  • Colleen Stringer (Point Lookout, N.Y.) made 11 save in the defeat falling to 3-2 on the year.
  • For USJ, Dinger ended the day with four goals while Rufo picked up a hat trick with three, also adding one assist.
  • EC outshot USJ 44-19 on the day and owned a 21-12 advantage on the draw.
  • The Saints improved to 11-0 all-time in the series vs. the Blue Jays.

UP NEXT

  • Emmanuel has a quick turnaround with a make-up game on Monday, April 3 on the road at Worcester State slated for a 6:00 PM draw.
  • USJ hosts Norwich on Wednesday, April 5 at 6:00 PM in West Hartford, Conn.