Balanced Attack Leads Elms Past WLAX

NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Mitchell College women's lacrosse team dropped a 25-10 decision to Elms College on Thursday afternoon in New England Collegiate Conference action at Alumni Field.

Alecia Keesee had five goals and two assists for the Blazers while Vanessa Vurno added four goals and four helpers. Haley Richard, Janis Christian and Kathleen Tuechler each finished with four goals apiece while Meeghan O'Connor made eight stops in goal against 23 total shots.

Mitchell was led by seven goals from Ashley Murtha while Kate McCormack contributed two and Willeen Pun had one. Goalie Gillian MacLellan made 12 saves against 44 total shots. 

Murtha opened the scoring in the game's first minute to give Mitchell the early advantage, but Elms responded with seven goals over a 2:21 stretch to take command. Vurno scored three times during the spurt which left the Blazers with a 7-1 lead with 25:55 to go in the half.

Mitchell trailed 15-5 late in the half before closing strong, scoring four times in the final 5:46 of the stanza. McCormack and Pun each potted goals to get things going, and Murtha finished with back-to-back scores to cut the deficit to 16-9. 

A goal by Vurno in the closing seconds of the half gave Elms a 17-9 lead at the break. Vurno, and Keesee each had four goals by intermission as the Blazers outshot the Mariners 31-12.

Elms outscored Mitchell 8-1 in the second half to seal the victory. Richard and Christian each scored twice over the final 30 minutes while Keesee added her fifth of the day.

Murtha recorded her 200th career point in the contest. The Mitchell senior has amassed 187 goals and 14 assists over 34 career games.

Mitchell (2-4 overall, 1-3 NECC) will next host Becker College on Saturday, April 15 at noon. Elms (7-2 overall, 5-1 NECC) returns to action at Newbury College on Saturday at 1 p.m.