Women's Lacrosse Falls to Southern Maine in LEC Matchup

DARTMOUTH, Mass. - Powered by a game-high eight goals from Rachel Shanks, the University of Southern Maine posted a 20-12 win over UMass Dartmouth in Little East Conference action on Friday at Cressy Field. The Huskies move to 7-6 overall and remain perfect in conference play at 3-0. The Corsairs are now 7-4 overall and 1-2 in the LEC.

Friday's game also marked the Senior Day celebration for the Corsairs, who honored defender Carmen Zhao, attacker Heather Gould and goalie Payton Conceicao in a pregame ceremony.

USM jumped out to the early 4-0 lead, powered by two opening goals from Shanks, but the Corsairs responded at the 7:54 mark as junior attack Natalia Agrelo scored, followed seconds later by a tally from classmate and midfielder Melanny Sanchez Alvarez off a feed from junior Widline Thomas. 

Another goal from Sanchez Alvarez helped cut the gap to 4-3 with 4:28 to go in the opening quarter, but three more Huskies goals - including two from Shaks in the final 1:23 saw the visitors take a 7-4 lead into the second frame.

The Huskies posted two goals around a tally from UMD's Hannah Mitus to open the second frame, but goals from rookie midfielder Maddie Wright and Thomas helped cut the margin to 10-7 with 1:57 to play. 

Despite that momentum, the Huskies potted a pair of goals before halftime, owning a 12-7 advantage at the intermission.

In the third quarter, Wright scored, coupled with goals from Sanchez Alvarez and Agrelo moved the Corsairs to a 14-10 deficit with 3:45 to play. That score would hold into the fourth quarter as despite a tally from Wright at 9:37 and Agrelo at the 26 second mark, the Huskies netted six goals - two more from Shanks - to seal the victory.

Shanks, who also had an assist with two ground balls and two caused turnovers, was aided by Maddie Kinney who had four goals with two assists. Julia McKenna added four goals with an assist and a game-high 11 draw controls. In goal, Cece Racine earned the win after playing the first 30 minutes. Lydia Laslavic came on in the second half and made one stop.

For the Corsairs, Sanchez Alvarez posted three goals with an assist, adding two ground balls, two caused turnovers and four draw controls. Agrelo netted three goals, while Wright also had three goals with three ground balls, a caused turnover and five draw controls. Thomas added two goals and an assist. In goal, senior Payton Conceicao recorded four stops in the loss.

The Corsairs return to action on Tuesday, traveling to Western Connecticut for a 6pm LEC matchup.