DARTMOUTH, Mass. – The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth dropped its season-opener this afternoon, falling to the University of Southern Maine 16-3 in a Little East Conference women's lacrosse match at Cressy Field.
The Corsairs (0-1) were able to crack the scoring column in the second half as three UMass Dartmouth student-athletes recorded a marker. The junior trio of
Kylie Dias (Fall River, Mass.),
Hannah Niemi (Fairhaven, Mass.), and
Bella Mancini (Bellingham, Mass.) each found the back of the net for the hosts. Niemi collected a team-high five ground balls and a draw control, while freshman
Widline Thomas (Stamford, Conn.) picked up three ground balls, caused two turnovers, and won a draw.
Senior Alex Farley (Buxton, Maine) powered the Huskies (2-0) attack with five goals and an assist for six points. Graduate student Jennifer Darasz (Gorham, Maine) and junior Rachel Shanks (Naples, Maine) each contributed a hat trick and a helper, while classmate Evelyn Hinkley (West Gardiner, Maine) registered three points. Darasz won a game-high seven draws, while senior Hannah Gorham (Lyman, Maine) scooped up four ground balls.
Southern Maine raced out of the gates, scoring five markers less than five minutes into the first half. The Huskies continued to click on offense as the visitors built a 13-0 advantage heading into the intermission.
Senior Mariah Vaillancourt (Lewiston, Maine) made one stop to earn the victory, while freshman Cece Racine (Lewiston, Maine) played the final 30 minutes of action and registered three saves. Freshman
Tahlia Amaral (Acushnet, Mass.) registered seven saves in her first collegiate contest.
UMass Dartmouth will return to action at 6pm on Wednesday, March 30, when the Corsairs host Eastern Connecticut State University in a non-conference contest.
