NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Connecticut College women's lacrosse team used a 9-1 run spanning the end of the first quarter to early in the third quarter, as the Camels powered past host Coast Guard for a 15-8 win on Wednesday night from Cadet Memorial Field. Conn improves to 1-1 while Coast Guard falls to 2-1.
Conn came out of the gates quickly, jumping out to a 2-0 lead just 2:10 into the contest. Aine Downey (Brookline, Mass.) opened the scoring at 13:52, before Greta Panke (Milldale, Conn.) converted a free-position shot to make it 2-0. Both teams settled in, before Coast Guard tallied the next two goals. Caitlyn Coates got the Bears on the board at 5:57, before Kira Howard evened the contest two minutes later. With under 30 seconds left, Kate Coughlin (Reading, Mass.) converted a free-position shot as the Camels led 3-2 after one.
Conn took over in the second quarter, as the Camels outscored the Bears 7-1 in the frame. Conn scored the first five goals of the session, as Emma Ognibene (New Canaan, Conn.) and Campbell Johnston (Duxbury, Mass.) both notched their first goals of the evening, while Coughlin added a second, and Downey recorded two, to complete her hat trick, as the Camels led 8-2 at 6:40. Coast Guard ended the run at 5:02 on a tally from Reagan Parker, but back-to-back strikes from Ognibene and Coughlin had the Camels in front 10-3 at the break.
Conn continued their strong play to start the second half, as just 1:08 into the frame, Downey connected with Panke in front of the cage who fired home to extend the lead to 11-3. Coates answered for the Bears before Suzie Smith (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) notched a free-position goal and Coughlin tallied her fourth of the game to make it 13-4 at 7:34. However, Coast Guard ended the quarter on a 3-0 run, as Conn led 13-7 heading to the fourth.
Coughlin ended the Coast Guard run early in the fourth quarter, as the junior punched home her fifth goal of night at 12:16. With just under eight minutes remaining, Coughlin was the facilitator, finding Caroline Bruce (Acton, Mass.) who found the back of the net to push the lead to 15-7. The Bears added a consolation goal with 1:17 left, as the Camels earned the 15-8 win for their first victory of the year.
Conn outshot Coast Guard 25-18, while controlling 18 of 27 draws.
Ava Virga (Watertown, N.Y.) picked up her first career win in goal, making three saves. Coughlin paced the Camels attack with six points on five goals and one assist, while Downey added three goals and two assists. Panke and Ognibene both tallied two goals, while Bruce, Johnston, and Smith each recorded one goal. Defensively, Conn forced 10 turnovers, with Eliza Shamah (Acton, Mass.) causing two. Downey scooped up four ground balls, while Syden Weber (Hanover, Mass.) controlled a team-high eight draws.
Maici Mintchwarner got the start in goal, finishing with four saves in 53:20 of action, while Kailee Heron played the remaining 6:40, making one save. Coastes paced the Bears with five points on four goals and one assist, while Howard added two goals and two assists.
Conn returns to Silfen Field for the first time as the Camels host No. 7 Colby at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday.
