Box Score
HARDEEVILLE, S.C. – You could forgive the Eastern Connecticut State University women's lacrosse team if it was not particularly familiar with an out-of-division opponent located 900 miles from campus when it met SCAC Savannah for the first time Monday morning.
 
After scoring twice in the first four minutes to take an early lead, however, Eastern (1-3) found out quickly about the 2025 national semifinalists who are currently ranked third nationally in the NAIA.
 
Down 2-0, the Bees (5-1) limited Eastern to just one goal over the next 32 minutes in a 13-6 victory over the Warriors at the SCAD Athletic Complex. Eastern trailed by only three four goals at halftime but SCAD (Savannah College of Art & Design) used a four-goal third quarter to move out to an 11-5 lead with 15 minutes left.
 
Karley Holland led the Bees – who have won four of their matches this year by an average of 14 goals --with four goals and an assist and McKinsey Brown added two goals (including the 100^th of her career) and three assists.
 
For Eastern, Alexa Vizzini (Vernon, NJ) had three goals but was the only Eastern player with more than one. Molly Page (Waterford) had a goal and won three draws (Eastern was outdrawn, 15-6), graduate student Emma Oliano (Wallingford) a goal and three ground balls, and junior defender Grace Saldana (Colchester) had four ground balls and caused two turnovers. Junior Neely Hart (Colchester) had two ground balls and caused two turnovers and senior Alexa Coty (Old Saybrook) won four ground balls.

Sophomore goalie Maizie Rukat (Peru, VT) made six saves on 18 shots which reached cage, the Bees outshooting Eastern, 30-19.
 
Eastern opens Little East Conference play Sunday at Plymouth State University in a re-match of last year's LEC playoffs won by the Panthers. Plymouth (1-3), which lost last year's LEC title game, is coming off a 19-3 loss to No. 11 Denison University Sunday at Panama City Beach, FL, and faces Westfield State University Tuesday before hosting Eastern.