FITCHBURG, Mass. – The Eastern Connecticut State University women's lacrosse team led from start to finish and junior goalie Taylor Emmerson (Colchester) stopped a career-high 20 shots in the Warriors' 11-5 non-conference win over Fitchburg State University Thursday afternoon at Elliot Field.

In the first meeting between the programs, Eastern (4-4) raced to a 6-1 lead midway through the first half – junior midfielder Paige Schneider (East Lyme) scoring three straight goals in that run --  as the Warriors stopped Fitchburg's (5-3) three-game winning streak. The Falcons were coming off last year's 14-4 record.

Eastern raced to a quick 3-0 lead on goals a pair of goals from senior attack Tess Mraz (Fairfield) and a score by junior midfielder Caroline Regan (Niantic) before the Falcons answered with a tally from sophomore Carrie Long to cut the deficit to 3-1.

Following the break, the visitors opened the scoring in the second half on goals from sophomore Jenna Glynn (West Granby) and classmate Maggie Bodington (Stratford) for the 10-3 lead. Fitchburg tallied two of the final three scores in the contest as freshmen Anna Gagnon-Burch and Sarah Mallahan netted scored for the Falcons.

Emmerson made 11 of her saves to backstop the Warriors to an 8-3 halftime lead. Emmerson's final save total equals the ninth-most in a game in program history.

For Eastern, sophomore Katie Burke (South Windsor) totaled a game-best four points on one goal and three helpers as well as two ground balls, while Schneider added three points on three markers to go along with three ground balls and one caused turnover.

Fitchburg was paced by Long, who posted one point on one goal with seven draw controls, six ground balls and three caused turnovers, while senior Samantha Bontempo added four ground balls and three caused turnovers for the Falcons.

Fitchburg State held a 29-26 advantage in shots, while also holding a 29-23 margin in ground balls., Senior Liz Darrigo made 12 saves for the Falcons.

Eastern visits the University of Southern Maine Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in a Little East Conference match.