GORHAM, Maine – Despite a game-high seven goals from senior midfielder
Melanny Sanchez Alvarez, the UMass Dartmouth women's lacrosse team was unable to get past the University of Southern Maine in Little East action. The Huskies moved to 5-5 overall and 1-2 in conference play with the narrow 15-14 win, while the Corsairs are now 8-4 with a 1-2 LEC mark.
The two teams entered the fourth quarter with the Corsairs holding a 12-10 lead after a quick goal at 11:47 on the man-up by Sanchez Alvarez put the visitors ahead by two. The Huskies battled back as scores by Eliza Pattershall, Elaine Hanselmann and Julia McKenna pushed the home team ahead by a 13-12 margin with 7:48 to play.
Rookie midfielder
Maddy Allen scored her fifth of the game off a feed from Sanchez Alvarez, who turned around and added her seventh goal of the game for the 14-13 lead with just 4:24 on the clock. Despite the momentum, McKenna struck twice within 20 seconds, scoring at 2:59 and 2:41 as the Corsairs were unable to net the equalizer.
Southern Maine, which opened the game with a 3-0 lead, posted a 37-25 advantage in shots for the contest, owning a 13-8 edge in ground balls. The Corsairs had a 17-16 margin in draw controls, going 12-14 on the clear.
The Huskies were paced by McKenna, who scored five goals with an assist, adding two ground balls and two draw controls with a caused turnover. Hanselmann and Anna Byers each had two goals, while Raegan Bechard had two goals with an assist. Paige Rinaldi and Catriona Gould each recorded five draw controls. In goal, Lydia Laslavic made five saves in the victory.
For the Corsairs, Sanchez Alvarez added a game-high five assists in addition to her seven goals. She also posted two ground balls with a caused turnover and four draw controls. Allen dropped in five goals with a game-best nine draw controls, while rookie attack
Jennifer Lins had a goals with three assists. In goal, sophomore
Kelsie Couto notched nine saves in the defeat.
The Corsairs return to action on Tuesday, hosting Western Connecticut State at 7pm on Cressy Field.
