NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Connecticut College women's lacrosse team gutted out a 9-7 win over neighboring Coast Guard on Wednesday evening from Silfen Field.
Coast Guard struck first just 98 seconds into the contest, as Abby McAllister converted on a free-position shot. Campbell Johnston (Duxbury, Mass.) answered a minute later to even the score at one.
Joely Schaumloffel put the Bears back in front at 9:41, but Johnston's second tally of the game, this time on a free-position shot, had the game tied at two after one.
The Camels took their first lead just two minutes into the second quarter, as Kate Coughlin (Reading, Mass.) found the back of the net. McAllister answered midway through the frame for Coast Guard, but both defenses hunkered down, as the game was tied at three at the break.
The offenses came to life early in the second half, as the teams combined for four goals in the opening four minutes. Coughlin connected with Sophia Virgilio (Brightwaters, N.Y.) to put Conn back in front, but Coast Guard answered with two goals in 59 seconds to go in front 5-4.
Johnston drew the Camels even at five at 11:04, before a Hannah Warnke free-position tally had the Bears leading 6-5. Johnston set up Coughlin with just under three minutes remaining to send the game to the fourth quarter tied at six.
Conn started the final frame quickly, as both Coughlin and Victoria Evans (Sudbury, Mass.) converted free-position attempts to make it 8-6 at 12:53. The Camels extended the lead with 82 seconds remaining as Suzie Smith (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) found a cutting Caroline Villarin (Duxbury, Mass.) to make it 9-6. Coast Guard got a late consolation in the final minute, as Conn earned a hard-fought 9-7 win.
Conn outshot Coast Guard 23-15, while the Bears held a 10-8 edge on draw controls.
Ava Virga (Watertown, N.Y.) got the start in the cage, recording three saves. Coughlin and Johnston led Conn with four points on three goals and one assist each, as Evans, Villarin, and Virgilio all tallied one goal, with Smith chipping in one assist.
Conn scooped up 16 ground balls, led by three from Hannah Merrit (Cheshire, Conn.), while the Camels forced nine Bear turnovers, with Casey Chesner (Great Falls, Va.) causing three and controlling a team-high three draws.
Kailee Heron got the start in goal, finishing with seven saves. McAllister and Schaumloffel led Coast Guard with three points each, while two other Bears tallied one goal.
Conn opens up NESCAC play on Saturday against #1 Middlebury at 12:00 p.m. on Siflen Field.
