SPARKS, Md - Leading 2-1 midway through the first quarter, the Connecticut College women's lacrosse team scored the next seven goals, en route to taking down the United States Merchant Marine Academy 17-3 on Tuesday afternoon from William G. Tierney Field at USA Lacrosse. With the win, Conn improves to 2-2 on the year, while USMMA falls to 2-2.
Conn (2-2) started quickly jumping out to a 2-0 lead within the opening three minutes. Aine Downey (Brookline, Mass.) converted on a free-position shot at 13:10, before Kate Coughlin (Reading, Mass.) found Emma Ognibene (New Canaan, Conn.) at 12:12. Merchant Marine (2-2) got on the board at 6:30 on a tally from Grace Picozzi. Just over a minute later, Coughlin found the net herself, to push the lead to 3-1. With just over a minute left in the quarter, Elizabeth Gill (Hingham, Mass.) connected with Janet Howard (Madison, Conn.) who connected to give Conn a 4-1 lead after one.
The second quarter started slowly, with neither side scoring in the opening eight minutes. However, Julianna Ingrassia (Garden City, N.Y.) scored at 6:47 to make it 5-1. The Camels tallied three goals in the span of 1:11 to push the lead to 8-1. Howard picked up a goal off an assist from Ingrassia, Coughlin scored unassisted, and Suzie Smith (Saratoga Springs, Md.) found the back of the net with an assist from Downey, as Conn led 8-1 at the break.
Conn's scoring run continued to start the third quarter as Campbell Johnston (Duxbury, Mass.) converted with the Camels playing a player up. The Mariners finally ended the Camels' run at 9:12 on a goal from Leslie Wysong. Hannah Prescott (North Attleboro, Mass.) notched her first collegiate goal on a free-position shot at 1:55, but USMMA answered with a woman-up free-position goal at 1:04. With nine seconds left in the quarter, Prescott found Coughlin who hit the back of the net, as Conn led 11-3 heading to the fourth.
It was Conn in the final quarter of action, as the Camels outscored the Mariners 6-0 in the frame. Coughlin connected with Ava Gershon (Cranston, R.I.) just one minute into the quarter pushing the lead to 12-3. Hannah Merritt (Cheshire, Conn.) extended the lead at 9:17, before Johnston hooked up with Howard to make it 14-3. Gershon netted her second goal of the game at 4:38 off an assist from Downey. Gill scored at 2:09, off another assist from Johnston, before Ognibene converted on a free-position shot in the final minute, as the Camels came away with the 17-3 win.
Conn outshot Merchant Marine 41-12 while controlling 20 of 23 draws.
Viollette Nidds (Ridgewood, N.J.) picked up the win in goal, finishing with three saves in the quarters of action, while Ava Virga (Watertown, N.Y.) played the final quarter and did not face any shots. Coughlin paced the Camels with five points on three goals and two assists, while Howard added three goals, and Downey and Johnston both notched one goal and two assists. Ingrassia, Gill, and Prescott each added a goal and an assist, while Gershon and Ognbene both recorded two goals.
Conn picked up 25 ground balls, with scooping up five, while Gill and Brooke McKenna (Ridgewood, N.J.) both picked up four. The Camels caused 12 turnovers, with Sydney Weber (Hanover, Mass.) causing three, and Downey and McKenna causing two each. Conn was 15-16 on clears, while controlling 20 draws, with Weber collecting 11 controls.
Karianna Eagle got the start in the cage, making seven saves. Picozzi tallied two goals, while Wysong added one goal and one assist for the Mariners attack.
Conn wraps up their road trip on Saturday, as the Camels travel to Brunswick, Maine to take on Bowdoin College in a NESCAC matchup at 12:00 p.m.
