The No. 15 and 18-ranked University of New Haven women’s lacrosse notched its first win of the 2021 campaign Saturday with a 17-7 win over American International College (AIC) that saw graduate defender Raven Linton break the program record for career draw controls. Needing just seven controls to set the mark, Linton finished with 11 on the afternoon to go along with a pair of assists.

Senior Emily Holland led the Chargers scoring with six goals on nine shots, converting three out of five free position opportunities. Junior Marina Skelly matched her six points, finishing just behind her with five goals and adding an assist with the two combining to score six of the first seven goals of the afternoon.

Freshman keeper Gabrielle Buscemi started her first collegiate game between the pipes, making nine saves. Eight of the Chargers’ goals came via an assist, with senior Mary Rishmany leading the way with three.

Sophomore Annie Aquavita opened the scoring just under four minutes into the opening period with a free position score. Skelly followed her with another free position goal five minutes later, before AIC joined the scoring shortly after. The scoring went back and forth through the middle portion of the first half, until Holland and Skelly combined for three goals in less than two minutes late in the opening 30 minutes of play, extending the lead to 7-4.

The two sides continued the scoring right up to the final buzzer, with AIC notching a goal with 10 seconds left in the half. Linton was able to control the ensuing draw and race downfield for a handoff to a cutting Rishmany across the goal-mouth, adding another tally with 1.2 seconds left in the first.

It was all Chargers out of the break, with four goals scored in the first seven minutes. Junior Julia Astram was next to add her name to the score sheet, putting two goals on the board in 10 seconds off assists from Linton and freshman Kyra Sparks.

Holland notched two more for herself followed by junior Meredith Karsonovich, capping a streak of nine unanswered goals, and the first eight goals of the half. AIC finished the scoring for the afternoon with a pair of goals, as the Chargers earned the win in their first game since the COVID-19 pandemic suspended the 2020 campaign just two games in.

Next up, the Chargers will make the trip across town to Jess Dow Field to take on rival Southern Connecticut State University on Wednesday, Mar. 17 at 4:00 p.m. The game will broadcast on NE10 NOW. Check NewHavenChargers.com for links to live video and live stats.