WALTHAM, Mass. – The University of New Haven women’s lacrosse team, nationally ranked No. 7, suffered an 11-13 loss at No. 8
Bentley University Saturday afternoon. The Chargers fell to 8-2 overall and 3-2 in the Northeast-10 Conference with the loss. The Falcons improved to 7-4 overall and 5-2 in the NE-10 with the victory.
In the first ten minutes of Saturday’s game, the team’s exchanged two goals each. Bentley then scored back-to-back points and took a 4-2 lead with 13:30 left in the first half. Nicole McKee (Wantagh, N.Y./MacArthur) scored her second goal of the game and brought the score back within one for UNH. The Chargers then scored two of the final three goals of the half in the closing 10 minutes. Sarah Magnone (Yardley, Pa./Villa Joseph Marie) scored the game-tying goal with 4:51 left in the first half. The score remained tied 5-5 at halftime.
Bentley opened the second half with four of the first five goals to take a 9-6 lead with 15:54 left. New Haven answered after McKee sparked a 3-0 run during a three minute stretch. Alexis Gabbe (Malverne, N.Y./Malverne) scored the game-tying ninth goal for New Haven off a free position shot with 9:20 left in regulation. After nearly five scoreless minutes, the Falcons went on another run with under five minutes left in the second half. Bentley scored four-straight goals and took a 13-9 lead with just over two minutes left. The Chargers scored two goals in the final minute, but could not close the gap and suffered the loss.
New Haven held a 24-22 advantage in shots and an 18-15 advantage in ground balls. UNH went a perfect 11-for-11 in clear attempts and trailed 12-14 in draw controls.
Gabbe led UNH with four goals and four assists in the loss. McKee added three goals and Ashley Ferrandiz (West Sayville, N.Y./Sayville) contributed two scores. In goal, Maureen Spellman (Trumbull, Conn./St. Joseph) suffered the loss and posted five saves.
New Haven returns to action at American International College on Tuesday, April 10. Game time in Springfield, Mass. is set for 7 p.m. For complete coverage, stay posted to www.NewHavenChargers.com throughout the week.
