BIDDEFORD, Maine -- The University of New England saw its six-goal halftime lead cut to one with just over three minutes remaining, but held on for a 15-13 The Commonwealth Coast Conference victory over Curry College in women's lacrosse action Monday evening under the lights at Barbara J. Hazard Field.
Down 14-10 with 7:54 left on the clock, the Colonels reeled off three straight scores in 4:35 to reduce the deficit to one. Curry senior Ashley Hansbury (Chelmsford, Mass.) notched the final two of her game-high six goals during the spurt.
UNE sophomore Jenna Barton (Wolfeboro, N.H.) responded at the 1:36 mark with a goal in transition to make the advantage two and seal the win.
The Nor'easters led 11-5 at the break, but saw the visitors climb back into the contest with four of the first five tallies the second half.
Junior Danielle Cate (Boscawen, N.H.) led a balanced UNE attack with four goals. Barton and senior Liz DeGrandpre (Freeport, Maine) chipped in with three goals apiece, while sophomore Jessy Dvorak (Windsor, Conn.) added two. Senior Kim Bilodeau (Durham, Maine) finished with one goal and three helpers.
The Nor'easters (7-1, 5-0 TCCC), who won for the sixth straight outing, received nine saves in just under 57 minutes from junior Tara Geraghty (Barrington, R.I.). UNE had lost its five previous meetings with the Colonels.
For Curry (6-3, 3-2 TCCC), which finished with a 20-9 edge in draw controls, senior Carissa Lauyer(Bloomsbury, N.J.) notched three goals and an assist. Classmate Rachel Robichaud (Billerica, Mass.) added a pair of scores.
Junior goalie Maria Lynch (Billerica, Mass.) registered 13 saves in a losing effort, and connected with Hansbury to pick up an assist on the attacker's third marker.
UNE led from the start, jumping out to a 5-1 cushion midway through the opening frame. Twice the Colonels trimmed the difference down to two, before the hosts tacked on the last four goals of the half.
The Nor'easters travel to Endicott College Wednesday (7 p.m.) with first place on the line, as both teams remain undefeated in league play.
Curry is back in action the same day at home against Colby-Sawyer College for a 6:30 p.m. start.
(Courtesy of University of New England Sports Information)
