Falcons Pull Away from Women’s Lacrosse

NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Mitchell College women's lacrosse team battled back from a five-goal deficit and trailed by just one in the second half on Tuesday afternoon, but Albertus Magnus College pulled away after that, handing the Mariners a 16-7 setback in GNAC play.

Senior Jessica Krupnikoff (Farmington, Conn.) collected the third hat trick of her collegiate career, while Lauren Cordero (Selden, N.Y.) added a pair of goals, giving the sophomore five over Mitchell's last two games.

The Falcons attacked early and often, pulling out to a 5-0 lead by the end of the first quarter behind two goals from junior Amber DeJonge. Krupnikoff answered with her first goal of the game 16 seconds into the second frame, and following Samantha Helwig's second goal of the game two minutes later, the Mariners ripped off three unanswered scores courtesy of Krupnikoff, Cordero, and senior Carly Potts (New London, Conn.). Helwig completed her hat trick off a free position shot with 2:27 remaining in the half, before Krupnikoff capped off her hat trick with under two minutes on the clock, sending it to the break with the Mariners trailing 7-5.

Junior Angelia Rheaume (East Lyme, Conn.) opened the second half by tallying her first goal of the season to make it one score contest. Zoey Soost potted the next goal for Albertus less than 30 seconds later, before Cordero sent one past the keeper to make it an 8-7 game.

The offense for the Mariners would dry up at this point, as that proved to be the final goal of the afternoon for the home squad. Helwig added four more goals for the Falcons and finished with seven total. DeJonge added four of her own and an assist, while Rosie Rivera chipped in two goals and one assist.

Krupnikoff added 12 draw controls and four ground balls for Mitchell, while seniors Hannah Gomes (North Stonington, Conn.) and Isabel Foley (Framingham, Mass.) also scooped four ground balls apiece.

Albertus outshot Mitchell 39-19, and despite the Mariners winning the draw control battle 16-10, they turned the ball over 43 times to just 24 for the Falcons.

Hannah Gomes logged all 60 minutes in the cage for Mitchell and turned away a season-high 17 saves.

Danielle Collea also played all 60 minutes in goal, earning her first win of the season behind five saves.

The Mariners (0-3, 0-2 GNAC) will continue their three-game homestand on Thursday, March 28th, with a conference game against the University of Saint Joseph at 4:00 pm. The Falcons (1-7, 1-2 GNAC) will also play the Blue Jays in their next game, on Saturday, March 30th.