WELLESLEY, Mass. – United States Merchant Marine Academy senior Lauren Jablonowski (Levittown, N.Y.) and sophomore Leslie Wysong (Mount Pleasant, S.C.) each had eight points in a 21-2 non-conference victory over Wellesley College lacrosse at Butler Stadium on Monday.
Jablonowski and Picozzi both had five goals and three assists for the Mariners (2-1). Sophomore Grace Picozzi (Collegeville, Pa.) added five points (two goals, three assists) and won seven draw controls. First year Reese Ripley (Denver, Colo.) recorded a hat-trick. Defensively, junior Nicole Nagengast (Seaford, N.Y.) grabbed four ground balls and junior keeper Karianna Eagle (Little Egg Harbor Township, N.J.) stopped seven of nine shots on goal.
Sophomore Mallory Kennison (Norway, Maine) and junior Finley Tipton (Coppell, Texas) both tallied for the Blue (1-2). Tipton led the team with six draw controls and senior Anna Tutek (Trumbull, Conn.) caused a pair of turnovers. First year Aspen Caudill (Louisville, Ky.) recorded seven saves in net while classmate Elaina Brookhart (Mystic, Conn.) added a stop.
The Mariners went up 7-1 in the first quarter. Ripley and Wysong scored in the opening three minutes before Tipton put Wellesley on the board. Another three goals from Wysong and two from Jablonowski with three Picozzi assists gave Merchant Marine a commanding lead.
The visitors extended the lead to 11-1 by halftime. Two Jablonowski goals were joined by one from Wysong and first year Lana Hayes (Toms River, N.J.).
Merchant Marine added six more unassisted goals in the third quarter. Picozzi, Jablonowski, first year Amber Fields (St. Augustine, Fla.) and Ripley all scored once. Wysong assisted on two goals by senior Gianna Russo (Wake Forest, N.C.). Kennison gave Wellesley its second point with three seconds remaining in the quarter.
The Mariners closed out the affair with four consecutive goals in the fourth. Picozzi, Ripley, Fields and Hayes all connected on shots while Jablonowski stuffed the stat sheet with two assists.
Merchant Marine went 5-of-5 on free position shots and outshot Wellesley 29-12. Each team won 13 draw controls.
Next up, the Blue will travel to Salve Regina University to begin NEWMAC competition on Saturday, March 15 at 12:00 PM. The Mariners will welcome Marywood University at 12:00 PM on Saturday, March 22.
