Blue Lacrosse Drops Heartbreaker to UNE

WELLESLEY, Mass. – Junior Cara Cole scored off a rebound with 44 seconds remaining to hand the visiting University of New England women's lacrosse team a thrilling 15-14 victory over host Wellesley College on a chilly Saturday afternoon. The win lifts the Nor'easters to 2-0, while the Blue dip to 0-1 to start the 2012 season.

Cole's shot came after Wellesley goalkeeper Tori Hysko made a beautiful save off a point-blank attempt from Jenna Barton. The ball rebounded to Cole who found the back of the net, breaking the 14-14 tie and completing the UNE comeback.

Wellesley led 7-5 at the break, backed by two goals each from first-year Claire Canty and sophomore Brit Mscisz. UNE was paced by three goals from junior Emily Lodge in the first half.

The Blue scored first in the second half, as Mscisz connected to open up an 8-5 lead, Wellesley's largest of the game so far. The Nor'easters battled back, scoring five out of the game's next seven goals to knot the contest at 10-10 with 17:34 to play. UNE rookie Gina Newsome contributed four scores for the visitors during the span.

The game was back and forth, with the teams again tying the score, this time at 12-12 with 10 minutes to play. UNE then opened up a two-goal advantage with 6:49 to play, after back-to-back scores from senior Jesalyn Dvorak and first-year Nikki Smith. Wellesley, however, battled back with back-to-back goals of its own, as first-year Nathalie Gruet made it 14-13 with 5:50 to play, while a Canty free-position score made it 14-14 with just 1:35 remaining in the contest.

Wellesley won the ensuing draw, but a turnover put the ball back in the hands of UNE. After Barton's attempt was saved, Cole recorded the game-winner of the rebound. The Blue had a chance to tie it, as senior Meredith Roy earned the draw control on the next possession, but Nor'easter goalie Samantha St. Pierre saved Wellesley's final shot attempt, preserving the UNE victory.

Wellesley out-shot UNE 39-29, but the visitors controlled the draw, recording a 17-14 advantage.

The Blue were led by four goals from Mscisz and three each from Canty and Gruet, each making their collegiate debuts. Roy finished the afternoon with two goals and an assist, while junior Allison Robbins added a goal and two helpers. Defensively, Gruet added five caused turnovers, Roy picked up four ground balls and Robbins has four draw controls. In net for the Blue, Hysko finished with nine saves.

For the Nor'easters, Newsome led the way with four goals and an assist, while Hannah Tavella recorded a three-goal, two-assist day. Lodge added three scores and a helper, with Smith picking up two goals. On the other side of the ball, Lodge recorded five draw controls and three ground balls, while sophomore Gina Iannazzi also added five draw controls. St. Pierre played well in goal, coming away with 13 saves.

Wellesley now begins a stretch of six-straight road games, starting with a trip to Endicott on Wednesday at 7:00pm. UNE is back in action at home, hosting Southern Maine on Wednesday at 4:00pm.