WLAX Falls in Conference Match Against NEC

NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Mitchell College women's lacrosse team fell suffered a 22-2 defeat at home on Saturday afternoon against New England College in the New England Collegiate Conference opener for both squads.

Cassie Kelly and Nathalie Antigua tallied six goals apiece for the Pilgrims, while Meadow Gilchrist added five goals, Jackie Nee notched a hat trick, and both Alexis Borkowski and Gina Sciortino found the back of the net once. Nee also contributed a team-best three assists for NEC, who improved their overall record to 7-7 on the season.

Seniors Abby Rasmussen (Montville, Conn.) and Rachel Ricciuti (East Northport, N.Y.) each scored one goal for the Mariners, who struggled against the defense of the Pilgrims, only getting off six shots. Rasmussen also was credited with a team-high four ground balls and added three draw controls.

NEC jumped out ahead early when Sciortino potted a goal 50 seconds into the contest. Rasmussen answered right back just seconds later to make the score 1-1, however the Pilgrims reeled off nine unanswered goals to close out the opening quarter. The Mitchell defense tightened up from there and surrounded only three goals in both the second and third quarter, but lack of offense and shot creation allowed the visiting team to build a sizable advantage and pull away.

Ricciuti's fourth goal of the spring came early in the fourth quarter on an assist by junior Jessica Krupnikoff (Farmington, Conn.), before NEC scored six more times in the waning 11 minutes and 20 seconds.

The Pilgrims held a sizable advantage in the shot department, 49-6, while also winning the ground ball battle 39-13 and forcing 30 Mariner turnovers. Mitchell won 10 draw controls, went 9-18 on clear attempts, and forced 10 NEC turnovers.

The Mariners (3-6 overall, 0-1 NECC) will return to action on Monday, April 17, when they travel to New Haven for a non-conference game against Albertus Magnus.