Box Score WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – Four newcomers combined to score the first six goals over the first seven minutes of the match as the Eastern Connecticut State University women's lacrosse team  drubbed the University of Saint Joseph (CT), 21-5 Saturday in a non-conference game, to open the season with two wins for the first time in the program's 26-year history.
 
Eastern (2-0) got 16 goals and six assists from first-year players and was never headed after building a 9-0 lead before the game was ten minutes old. First-year sophomore transfers combined for the first six goals, Caroline Stent (Weatogue) and Jessie Pyrek-Bennett (Monroe) scoring twice  and Chloe Miller (Avon) and Shay Ventresca (Oakdale) once each as the Warriors raced to a 6-0 lead in the first seven minutes.
 
In the game, Ventresca connected on five goals on seven shots and  Miller and Stent added four goals on six shots each and Pyrek-Bennett had three goals and two assists.  Eight players contributed a goal or assist.
 
Senior Tristan Kijak (Windsor), junior Aiyana Ward (Waterbury) and Stent – all midfielders – combined on 17 of the team's 20 draw controls and helped the Warriors to a +13 advantage in that department. Kijak won eight draws and caused five turnovers, Ward won five draws and four ground balls Stent won four draws and three ground balls.
 
Sophomores Nicole Gaston (West Haven) and Sarah Gallagher (South Windsor) split time in goal, making a total of three saves. Gaston won her second decision this year.
 
Both Eastern and USJ were coming off decisive wins against Mitchell College in their openers, Eastern by a 23-3. This year, Miller leads the Warriors with 12 points (8 goals, 4 assists), Stent with 11 (9, 2) and Pyrek-Bennett ten (5, 5). Stent has won 12 draws and Kijak ten, and Ward eight ground balls.
 
Eastern visits Gordon College Wednesday at 4 p.m. in a non-conference match. The Fighting Scots opened their season with a 17-6 home loss to St. Joseph's College (ME).