Box Score MANSFIELD, Conn. – Sophomore Elizabeth Holmes, freshman Kelsi McDougle and junior Caroline Malone scored goals and Babson College controlled the tempo throughout as it won its third straight match by shutout, 3-0, over Eastern Connecticut State University Thursday evening at the Mansfield Outdoor Complex.
At right: Freshman Gabriela Meza
The home loss is the first for Eastern (4-4) after three triumphs this year while Babson (5-4) recorded its third straight shutout, having outscored its opponents 14-0 in the process. The Beavers remained unbeaten (9-0) all-time in the series with Eastern.
Holmes broke through for Babson in the 18th minute when she stick-handled through the Eastern defense and around fallen junior goalie Olivia Mullen (Bethel) to deposit her third goal of the season. Nine minutes later, McDougle drove the ball from the top of the circle cleanly into the back of the cage to make it 2-0, and Malone added another insurance marker midway through the second half with her team-leading seventh goal of the season on a re-direct in front of Mullen.
Behind the play of starting defenders Kelly Gawron (Ramsey, NJ), Alexandra Steward (Old Saybrook), and Jessica Oliveira (Danbury), Eastern's defense was stout in front of Mullen and freshman Samantha Scavo (Redding), but the Warriors spent most of the evening trying to dig the ball out of their own end and mount an offensive attack against a skilled Babson team. Malone and freshman Victoria Spofford (Merrimac, MA) combined for ten of their team's shots, with Spofford being credited with an assist on Holmes' opening goal.
Mullen made eight saves in playing the first 59 minutes for Eastern, which was outshot 16-3. Babson also had an 11-5 advantage in penalty corners.
Eastern visits Framingham State University Saturday at 2 p.m. in a Little East Conference match.
