Box Score

DUDLEY, Mass. -- The University of New England Nor'easters scored the final five goals to break open a tight match on their way to a 14-9 win over Nichols College in Commonwealth Coast Conference women's lacrosse action Thursday evening (April 2) at Vendetti Field.

With the victory the Nor'easters improve to 4-6 overall, 2-1 in conference matches. Nichols drops to 2-6 overall and 1-3 in CCC play.

Nikki Smith and Macki Hill accounted for half of UNE's scoring output, registering four and three goals, respectively. Rachel Schwaner added two goals for Big Blue.

Nichols received all of its goals from three different players, with Brooke Marion notching four, Alyssa Bufis three, and Grace Murphy a pair.

After Smith and Hill gave the Nor'easters an early 2-0 advantage, the Bison answered right back with consecutive tallies from Murphy and Marion to tie the game. Neither team would establish more than a one-goal margin the remainder of the frame, as the Nor'easters took a slim 7-6 lead into intermission.

With the score tied 8-8 early in the second half, UNE would limit the hosts to just one goal the rest of the way. Five different players found the cage on the Nor'easters' final six goals, with Smith being the lone multiple-goal-scorer over the final 24:49.

Courtney Kendall recorded the victory in goal, recording eight saves for the Nor'easters. Schwaner played a brilliant all-around game, finishing with five caused turnovers and four ground balls. Johanna Currier came up with a team-high six ground balls to go with three caused turnovers, while Jessica Deedon added five ground balls and three caused turnovers.

Murphy had a huge game, finishing with seven caused turnovers, seven ground balls and four draw controls for Nichols, which got six saves for Katherine Cotton.

The Bison won 21 of 25 draws, but the Nor'easters offset that by holding a positive margin in nearly all other statistical categories.

UNE has one day of rest before hosting the University of Southern Maine for a non-league game starting at noon Saturday.