WLAX Falls to NEC

NEW LONDON, Conn. – The New England College women's lacrosse team powered to a 20-4 victory over Mitchell College in a New England Collegiate Conference showdown on Thursday afternoon.

Three Pilgrims accounted for all but three goals on the day. Alexandria Safford and Nathalie Antigua each finished with six goals and three assists while Lauren Rich contributed five goals and a helper. NEC improved to 4-5 overall and 2-2 in league play.

Lindsey Fairbank and Hannah Corrigan scored two goals each to lead Mitchell, which dropped to 0-10 overall (0-5 NECC). Fairbank also finished with team highs of six draw controls and five ground balls, and Corrigan caused a game-high four turnovers.

Antigua and Corrigan traded goals in the opening 5:43 of the contest. After the visitors went up 3-1 behind goals by Rich and Antigua, the Mariners responded with free-position goals from both Corrigan and Fairbank to tie the score at 3-3 midway through the period.

NEC closed the half strong with nine straight goals to lead 12-3 at the break. Safford accounted for four goals during the stretch while Rich and Antigua chipped in two apiece.

The Grims quickly expanded the lead to double digits in the opening minutes of the second half. NEC outscored the Mariners 8-1 in the stanza, with the lone Mitchell goal coming from Fairbank on an unassisted effort at the 20:47 mark. Safford, Antigua and Rich each potted a pair of goals over the final 30 minutes.

NEC goalie McKenzie Gallasso made four saves against eight shots before yielding the final 8:05 to back-up Carleigh Knotts. Mitchell's Ashley Holdridge finished with 11 stops against 31 shots.

Mitchell and NEC will meet again in the regular season finale on Saturday, April 24 at 1 p.m. in Henniker, N.H.