Box Score

DUDLEY, Mass. -- Hannah Tavella and Gina Newsome combined for eight second-half goals to help the University of New England pull away and take a 16-12 Commonwealth Coast Conference women's lacrosse victory over Nichols College on Saturday (April 6) afternoon at Vendetti Field.

With the win, the Nor'easters improve to 4-6 overall, 2-1 in conference play. The Bison stand at 3-8, 1-3 in CCC matches. UNE has won six consecutive games with Nichols and is 13-1 in the all-time series.

Tavella finished with five goals and Newsome four, while Nikki Smith scored three times. Hannah Warren chipped in three points with a goal and two assists.

Erica Antonison, Grace Murphy and Sam MacMillan scored three goals apiece for the Bison. Alexa Smith added a pair of markers.

Trailing 5-1 with just over 10 minutes remaining in the opening half, the Nor'easters exploded for five unanswered goals over the final 6:40 of the frame to take a 6-5 lead into halftime. Warren started the charge, then Smith notched three straight goals. Tavella would score with 17 seconds left to put UNE on top.

Nichols scored three of the first four goals of the second period to establish an 8-7 lead before the Nor'easters reeled off an eight-goal spurt to grab control of the match. Newsome scored all four of her goals for the day and Tavella added three to fuel the charge.

Down 15-8 with less than four minutes on the clock, the Bison rallied late with four goals, but Tavella notched one more in the final minute to ice the game.

Courtney Kendall made 12 saves for the Nor'easters, while AnneMarie Fanna registered six for Nichols.

Kendall and Johanna Currier led Big Blue with four ground balls apiece. Jessica Deedon and Nicolle Steel each had four draw controls, while Cassidy Ruocco controlled three draws and had three ground balls.

The Nor'easters return to action Wednesday with a 4 p.m. match at Gordon College.