ECSU Races Past WLAX

NEW LONDON, Conn. – Eastern Connecticut State University ruined Mitchell College's women's lacrosse home opener on Wednesday, handing the Mariners a 23-3 setback in their first-ever game on the new turf field.

The Warriors scored the first 18 goals of the contest and kept the Mariners off the scoreboard until the second half. Caroline Stent netted a game-high five goals and added an assist to pace the ECSU offense. Chloe Miller and Tristan Kijak each chipped in four goals and two helpers while Sydney Hogan contributed three goals and four assists.

Lindsey Fairbank, Hannah Corrigan and Daniella Holland each found the back of the net for the Mariners, who were outshot 34-11. Corrigan also scooped up a team-high four ground balls and finished with four draw controls.

Eastern opened the game with three scores in the first 1:20 and never looked back. Stent potted all five of her goals in the first 15:23 to lead the charge.

Mitchell trailed 18-0 at the break but finally broke through three minutes into the second half. Fairbank recorded the first Mitchell goal on the new field, converting a free-position shot to bank her second goal of the year. 

Corrigan found the back of the cage off a feed from Kathryn Barillaro with 12:06 left in the game. Six minutes later, Holland completed Mitchell's scoring with her team-leading sixth tally of the season.

ECSU's Nicole Gaston picked up the win in net, finishing with five saves against eight shots on goal. Mitchell goalie Lexi Incropera made eight stops in the loss.

The win was the first collegiate victory for head coach Dee Stephan, who took over the Eastern program last June.

Mitchell (0-2 overall) will next play at MCLA on Saturday, March 13 at 1 p.m. ECSU (1-0 overall) returns to action at Gordon College on Wednesday, March 17 at 4 p.m.