Statistics

WENHAM, Mass. -- Paced by a four-goal surge from Abby McHallam, the University of New England closed with 11 of the last 13 goals to defeat Gordon College, 19-8, in the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) regular season finale for women's lacrosse on Wednesday afternoon (Apr. 24) at the Brigham Athletic Complex.

After Sydney Balotin factored in three scores over the initial six minutes to help establish a 4-1 lead for the Nor'easters, the margin remained three (8-5) at halftime. The hosts got within a couple just 36 seconds into the 3rd period as Caroline Piorkowski found the back of the cage, but then McHallam took over, and her fifth goal of the day with 3:54 left in the frame had the visitors in full control (12-6).

The victory sets UNE (6-9) at 4-3 in league play, which is good for the No.4 seed in the upcoming 2024 CCC Women's Lacrosse Championship. The Nor'easters will entertain Nichols College in the first round at 1 p.m. on Saturday; the winner will head to top seed Roger Williams University for the semifinals next week.

McHallam finished with a career-high six points to lead the winning effort. Morgan White added four goal and 10 draw controls, and Balotin supplied two goals, two assists, three draws, and two caused turnovers. While scoring one each, Meagan Donovan and Molly Henderson contributed four and three assists, respectively. Donovan also had a team-best five ground balls.

In addition to tallying the final goal (and first of the season), Elizabeth Guertin had two caused turnovers, as did Ashjan Abdulsalam. Between the pipes, Jenna Trafford made eight saves.

For the Fighting Scots (3-13, 1-6 CCC), Piorkowski totaled three goals. Kaitlyn Mini had two scores and four draws. Jordan Miller went for five draws, five ground balls, and four caused turnovers. Laureen Leggett logged 18 stops over 45 minutes of relief in goal.