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BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Sophomore Emily Whitney (Rye, N.H.) scored back-to-back goals just over a minute apart in the closing stages to help Endicott College take a hard-fought 12-11 win over the University of New England in a Commonwealth Coast Conference women's lacrosse match played Wednesday afternoon (April 8) at the Big Blue Turf.

With the win, the Gulls improve to 7-4 on the season, 3-1 in CCC play. The Nor'easters stand at 5-7 overall and 2-2 in conference play.

With the score tied at 10-10, Whitney tallied an unassisted goal with 6:27 remaining to give Endicott the lead for good. Whitney would provide the Gulls with what would prove to be a much-needed insurance goal 1:18 later, converting a feed from senior Siri Mason (Williamstown, Mass.).

Endicott won the following draw control and went into stall mode on its attack. It appeared as if the Gulls would extend the lead to three (13-10) at the 2:45 mark, but a goal was disallowed due to an illegal stick. The Nor'easters took advantage of the turnover, moving the ball down to their offensive end before senior Nikki Smith (Shapleigh, Maine) scored unassisted with two minutes remaining.

UNE was unable to notch the equalizer before time expired.

Whitney finished with a game-high four goals to pace Endicott. Senior Ellie Clayman (Beverly, Mass.) had a huge game for the Gulls, contributing two goals, eight draw controls and five draw controls. Sophomore Meghan Lennon (Canton, Mass.) and first-year Erin McCarthy (Old Lyme, Conn.) each added a pair of markers.

Smith had three goals for UNE, as did seniors Gina Newsome (Danbury, Conn.) and Hannah Warren (Harrison, Maine). Classmate Jessica Deedon (Sherman, Conn.) set-up three goals for Big Blue.

Sophomore Maura Grady (Marblehead, Mass.) had 11 saves in goal to earn the win for Endicott, while junior Courtney Kendall (Waltham, Mass.) stopped six shots for the Nor'easters.

The match was tight the entire way. UNE built a 4-1 lead in the first half, but the Gulls chipped away at their deficit to tie the score (5-5) going into intermission. Neither team led by more than two goals at any point of the second half.

The stat sheet was nearly identical in several categories, with each squad taking 29 shots, converting 12 of 19 clear atttempts, and Endicott holding a slight margin (21-20) in ground balls. The Gulls won 18 of 25 draws to help aid in the victory.

Both teams return to action at home Saturday. Endicott hosts Nichols College at noon, and the Nor'easters will play Salve Regina University at 1 p.m.


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