Box Score MANSFIELD, Conn. – The University of Southern Maine spotted Eastern Connecticut State University two goals in the opening four minutes, then roared back for seven straight in a 16-8 women's lacrosse victory over the Warriors in the Little East Conference opener for both teams Saturday afternoon at Rick McCarthy Field.
Playing only its fifth game this month, Southern Maine (3-3) ended a three-game losing streak at the hands of Eastern (0-9), which was able to win half of the draws contested by was outshot by 14 and turned the ball over 14 more times.
While Eastern was able to limit USM senior top scorer Aliza Jordan to her 17th and 18th goals of the season (both coming in her team's early seven-goal blitz), the Huskies got needed offensive contributions from senior Colleen Fleming (South Portland, ME), who doused Eastern's attempts at a comeback with three straight goals in the second half that stretched a three-goal USM lead to six 13-7, with 11 minutes left. Freshman Taylor Rinaldi, who entered play with only one goal, capped Southern Maine's second-half run of five straight goals – started by Fleming – with two in just over a minute that pushed the USM lead to eight with 2:14 left.
Senior Hala Van Nostrand (Granby, CT) stopped six shots in the win, with Eastern senior Jessica Purick (Riverhead, NY) turning aside 14.
Jordan won seven of her team's 13 draws, and Fleming four. Fleming, sophomore Morgan Eliasen and junior Megan Violette (Portland, ME) each won four ground balls.
Junior Madison Renaud (Somers) led Eastern with three goals, senior Michelina Pinto (Groton) adding two. Junior Tristan Kijak (Windsor) and freshman Aiyana Ward (Waterbury) – playing in her first game -- combined to win seven draws and sophomore Alexa Jacobson (Marlborough) caused three turnovers.
Eastern hosts Worcester State University in a non-conference match Tuesday at 5 p.m.
