CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Junior Alexis Gabbe of the University of New Haven women’s lacrosse team recorded six goals on Wednesday afternoon, as the Chargers collected their second win of the season against Queens University of Charlotte at the Queens Sports Complex. UNH defeated the Royals by the final score of 14-5 and improved to 2-0 on the season.
Gabbe wasted very little time to open the scoring column, netting the first goal of the game at the 1:11 mark. Three minutes later, Kristina Curry added to the lead with her second goal of the season for an early 2-0 lead.
The Royals responded with a tally of their own, but couldn’t hold off the Chargers attack. UNH strung together eight consecutive goals over the next 19 minutes for a 10-1 advantage. Ashley Ferrandiz (2), Gabbe (3), Sarah Magnone and Natalie Lieberman each registered goals during the stretch. Queens found the back of the net right before halftime, but still trailed 10-2 at the break.
After the intermission, UNH picked up where they left off and scored the game’s next four goals. Gabbe completed her double hat-trick with the first two goals and was followed by another pair from Lieberman. Magnone assisted Lieberman’s final tally. The Royals scored three goals in the final minutes to close the scoring summary. However, New Haven opened its three game road trip with a 14-5 decision.
Gabbe increased her goal total to 12 through the first two games of the season. She finished with eight shots (seven on goal) and two draw controls on the day. Lieberman added three goals, four ground balls and five draw controls, while Magnone and Ferrandiz finished with two goals. Magnone also collected an assist and forced four turnovers and Ferrandiz grabbed five ground balls.
Defensively, Maureen Spellman was stellar between the pipes. Spellman faced 22 shots and made 10 saves on the afternoon. She has now posted back-to-back games with double-digit saves.
The Chargers return to action on Friday, March 18 with another game in North Carolina. UNH will take on Limestone College in Gaffney, N.C. at 3:30 p.m.
