WESTERN CONNECTICUT DEFEATS RIC, 19-5

Providence, R.I.-Western Connecticut junior attacker Meaghan Gustafson (Newington, CT) scored a pair of goals and added two assists to lead the Colonials past Rhode Island College, 19-5, in Little East Conference women’s lacrosse action played at the RIC Lacrosse Field on Saturday afternoon.

The Colonials (4-6, 1-1 LEC) jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the first 2:35 of the game, keyed by a pair of goals by junior attacker Destinee Carey (New Milford, CT) and a goal and an assist from freshman midfielder Lauren Bradshaw (Bethel, CT).

RIC (4-6, 0-3 LEC) cut the deficit down to two following a goal by freshman attacker Alison Nolan (Topsham, ME) with 23:22 left to play in the half. Western ripped off seven straight goals over the next 14:23 of playing time to extend its advantage to nine, 10-1, before three straight goals from the hosts made the score 10-4 with 5:43 left in the half. Carey scored two of the final three Western goals in the stanza to send the game into halftime with the Colonials leading by nine, 13-4.

Freshman goalkeeper Julia Eaton

RIC freshman goalkeeper Julia Eaton (Cumberland, RI) stopped 14 shots in the half with Western senior goalie Marisa Remley (New Fairfield, CT) turning aside two in the stanza. Western Connecticut held a commanding, 41-6, edge in shots for the period and a 15-3 advantage in draw controls.

The Colonials continued the second half where they finished the first, ripping off the first six goals of the frame to up their advantage to 15, 19-4, with 13:09 remaining in the half. Following their final goal, Western held the ball for 11:30 of the final 13:09 to close out the game. With time winding down in the contest, Rhode Island College sophomore defender Alasondra Apici (Providence, RI) collected an errant pass at midfield, streaked down the right-hand side of the field and slipped a shot past Remley to score her first career goal.

Eaton turned aside 18 shots in the loss (4-6) with Remley stopping three in the victory (1-0).

Western finished the game with a 56-9 advantage in shots, 21-5 edge in draw controls, and an 18-3 advantage in free position shots, while turning the ball over just 13 times compared to 28 for the Anchorwomen.

Carey netted five goals for the visitors. Sophomore midfielder Olivia Kosilla (Ellington, CT) chipped in two goals and four assists for six points.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will continue Little East Conference action at UMass Dartmouth on Tuesday, April 19 (7 p.m.).