Statistics

BIDDEFORD, Maine – Western New England University women's lacrosse picked up a 16-9 victory over the University of New England in a Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) matchup at Blue Bolt Field on Saturday.
 
The game remained close throughout most of the first quarter. Kylie Buchanan scored two of her game-high five goals to start the day off for the Golden Bears. Morgan White connected on a free-position goal to put the Nor'easters on the board with 9:00 to play in the first. After a goal by Samantha Vitka, Abby McHallam answered to cut the deficit to 3-2 with 3:14 left. Anabella Arias made it 4-2 in favor of WNE after a quarter.
 
The Golden Bears (5-4, 1-1 CCC) began to pull away in the second quarter, scoring the first six goals of the period. Mia Celentano had three goals while Ally Ferraro scored twice during the run as WNE jumped in front 10-2 with 4:08 remaining until halftime. Sydney Balotin dished out assists to Kimmy Staniar and McHallam down the stretch to cut the deficit to 10-4 at the break.
 
Buchanan began the second half with her third goal of the game. The Nor'easters (7-3, 1-1 CCC) continued to draw closer with goals by Emily Jacobs and Ann Chapman to trim the margin to 11-6 with 9:06 left in the third.
 
UNE would not be able to pull any closer the rest of the way. Kelsey Hartigan scored the final three goals for the Nor'easters down the stretch of the third quarter and in the fourth.
 
Keagan Dunbar played great defensively for UNE with a game-high six caused turnovers and 11 ground balls. Balotin led the way with four draw controls to go with four ground balls.
 
Faith Graveline had 14 saves to earn the victory in net for WNE. Maria Turriza made 10 stops in the loss.
 
UNE returns to action on Tuesday on the road at Wentworth at 4 p.m.