Box Score
FRAMINGHAM, Mass. – With Framingham State University having allowed an average of four goals in its first three matches this year, the potential for a big offensive game was a distinct possibility for the Eastern Connecticut State University field hockey team Thursday night at Maple Street Field.
 
Eastern (2-3) did not disappoint, spotting Framingham (1-3) a goal  just 43 seconds into play before storming back for five straight goals, with a three-goal second quarter staking it to a three-goal halftime lead and a final 5-2 non-conference decision in the first of a stretch of four straight road games.
 
Active career scoring leader and All-Little East Conference forward Emma Sanson (Thomaston)  had two goals and an assist and sophomore Audrey Molin (Vernon) two goals as the Warriors posted their highest goal total in 14^th matches all-time at Maple Street Field, and their second-highest total ever against the Rams.
 
Eastern erased the quick one-goal deficit by gaining the equalizer a little over two minutes later on Molin's third goal of the year  off an assist from Sanson, then struck for three more goals in less than six minutes midway through the second quarter to carry a comfortable three-goal lead into the half and snap a two-game losing streak.
 
Sanon's second goal of the year on a penalty stroke that she cleanly lifted into the top left corner over the stick of sophomore goalie Rowan Whittaker put Eastern in front for good, 2-1, and Sanson and first-year sophomore transfer Jenna Boardman (Columbia) and Sanson followed with goals later in the quarter to put the game away. It was Boardman's first career goal.
 
First-year midfielder Ada Ellis (Mystic) contributed her first career point with an assist on Boardman's goal that made it 3-1, and sophomore Rebecca Minaya (Stafford) added her first assist of the season on Molin's team-leading fourth goal of the season (second two-goal game) two minutes into the third quarter that made it 5-1. Minaya's pass from the right wing found Molin inside the circle and she sent a ground ball inside the far left post for the goal.
 
Junior Veronica McKenna (Wethersfield) and senior Hannah Jalowiec (Cheshire) split time in net, each making one save and allowing one goal. It was McKenna's second win in five starts this year.
 
Sanson, Boardman and All-LEC junior Grace Barlage (Guilford) combined to take half of the team's 18 shots and the Eastern midfield and defense held Framingham to eight shots, only four of them reaching goal.
 
Eastern visits Nichols College Tuesday at 7 p.m. in a non-conference match at  Vendretti Field. The Bison bounced back from a 5-0 loss at Wheaton College last Saturday with a 5-0 home win over Anna Maria College Thursday night. The win was the first this year for Nichols, which visits Roger Williams University Saturday before meeting Eastern Tuesday. The Warriors have won both games in the all-time series by a combined total of 6-2 over the last two years.