Box Score CLERMONT, Fla. -- The Wellesley College lacrosse team used a big first half to notch an 11-8 victory over the University of Southern Maine in non-conference spring break action at the National Training Center in Clermont, FL. The win lifts the Blue to 5-1 overall, while the Huskies fall to 1-5.
The Blue offense was led by Jenny Holland who finished the game with seven points on a game-high five goals and two assists. Allison Robbins added two goals and dished out two assists, while Britt Mscisz contributed two goals and one assist.
Kate Lonergan and Holland each recorded team highs of five ground balls, while Meagan Fuchs tallied four draw controls. Elizabeth Clemetson and Robbins each added two caused turnovers. In net for the Blue, Mary Mattia made 11 saves.
Rosie Forster paced the USM attack with three goals, while Shelby Turcotte had two goals, and Mary Vaughan chipped in a goal and two assists. Goalie Samantha Kiesel recorded a season-high 18 saves.
Wellesley controlled the first 10 minutes of play, building a 4-0 lead on goals from Mscisz, Meredith Roy, Holland and Lonergan. Southern Maine got on the board in the 13th minute with a goal from Forster to make it 4-1.
However, the Blue wrapped up the period with a 5-1 run to stretch their halftime lead to 9-2. Closing out the half, Holland scored three goals while Robbins added two.
In the second half, Holland opened the scoring with a goal at 21 minutes to stretch the Blue lead to 10-2, but Southern Maine then mounted a comeback. The Huskies scored four consecutive goals to get back within four, before Mscisz scored for the Blue to move the score to 11-6. Southern Maine added two goals under a minute apart, but Wellesley held on for the 11-8 victory.
Turnovers were even at 22 apiece, but Wellesley held advantages in draw controls (12-9) and groundballs (28-21).
Wellesley is back in action on Saturday at home, hosting Mount Holyoke at 12:00pm in the NEWMAC opener for both teams. Southern Maine next plays on Sunday at 4:00 p.m., hosting Castleton State College at Memorial Field in Portland.