BRISTOL, R.I. –  The Eastern Connecticut State University women's lacrosse team went 18 scoreless minutes after cutting a five-goal deficit to two early in the second half in dropping a 14-8 non-conference decision to Roger Williams University Wednesday afternoon.

In its first road contest of the season, Eastern (1-2) trailed throughout after Roger Willliams scored the first three goals in the opening nine minutes of the match in the Hawks' season-opener. Freshman Michelina Pinto (Groton) struck for her first two goals of the match in the final 42 seconds of the first half, and sophomore Maggie Bodington (Stratford) contributed her only goal of the match 29 seconds into the second half as the Warriors sliced a five-goal deficit to two, 9-7.

Within striking distance at that point, Eastern went virtually silent the rest of the way, managing only one final score (Pinto's third of the game) with 11:28 left as the Hawks used a 5-1 scoring advantage to pull away to defeat Eastern for the third time in the last four meetings between the programs.

With Roger Williams off to a quick start to its season -- threatening to run away with the game from the start with three goals in the first nine minutes -- junior Devyne Doran (South Kingstown, RI) got the Warriors untracked by making long solo runs that resulted in her first two goals of the season 14 seconds apart to pull Eastern to within a goal. Junior Caroline Regan (Niantic) set up Doran's first goal by winning the draw, and Doran did it all herself on the second.

Roger Williams used a 6-2 run soon after, however, to build a comfortable five-goal lead before the Warriors surged behind Pinto and Bodington to cut the gap to two, 9-7, in the opening minute of the second half.

Kaelin Hogan and McKenna Everding – the Hawks' top two returning scorers -- proved to be a two-person wrecking crew for the hosts, combining for 11 goals and four assists and taking 19 of the team's 26 shots.

Sophomore Katie Burke (South Windsor) led Eastern with two goals and two assists, giving her seven goals and seven assists through three matches.

Eastern held advantages in both draw controls and ground balls. Sophomore Katie Calnen (Granby) picked up six ground balls, with Pinto corralling five and Doran and junior goalie Taylor Emmerson (Colchester) four each. Bodington won five of the team's 13 draws, Regan and Doran picking up four each.

Emmerson made eight saves and allowed Roger Williams to convert only one of six free-position shots. Kim Bolk, the Hawks' 5-foot-10 inch junior goalie, stopped nine shots for her first win of the year.

Eastern visits Worcester State University Saturday at 1 p.m.