Gulls Top Hawks 12-8 in First CCC Contest of 2014

BRISTOL, R.I. – The Endicott women's lacrosse team traveled to Roger Williams on Saturday afternoon for the first Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) matchup of the season. Senior Callie Murphy (Woburn, Mass.) scored four goals while junior Ellie Clayman (Beverly, Mass.) posted three to help lift the Gulls to a 12-8 victory. With the win the Blue and Green improve to 5-1 (1-0 CCC) while Roger Williams falls to 2-5, (0-1 CCC).

Both halves were a battle as Endicott just edged the Hawks 6-4 in each half. The Blue and Green found the back of the net first in the opening minute as freshman Emily Whitney (Rye, N.H.) snuck the ball past freshman goalkeeper Kimberly Bolk (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y.) after a crisp pass from Murphy. Two minutes later the Hawks answered right back making it a tied game.

The Gulls went on to score back to back goals the first being from junior Kirsten Thor (Londmeadow, Mass.) as she tallied her first goal of the season. Minutes later with a one player advantage due to a Hawks yellow card, Murphy posted her first goal of the game to give the Blue and Green a 3-1 lead.

Roger Williams fought back by scoring three straight goals in two minutes of play to take a 4-3 lead, led by junior Deven Machette (Norwalk, Conn.) who scored her second goal of the game while giving the Hawks their only lead of the game.

In the final 10 minutes of the first half Endicott came right back at the Hawks scoring three straight goals of their own to end the half on top. Clayman started the rally with two straight unassisted goals as she earned her 14^th and 15^th goals on the season. With 3:10 remaining, rookie Meghan Lennon (Canton, Mass.) made it a two goal game with help from junior Siri Mason (Williamstown, Mass.) who came out with the assist.

To start up the second half the Gulls came out of the gates firing as Murphy along with senior Rachel Campos (Shrewsbury, Conn.) made it a 9-4 score in the opening minutes. Murphy scored two even goals while Campos took advantage of a man up opportunity and found the back of the net.

Roger Williams worked to cut down the lead by scoring two straight goals by junior Kristen Pingree (Georgetown, Mass.) and senior Jessica Searl (Glastonbury, Conn.) as they got the Hawks back within three with 13:11 left to play.

Campos followed by scoring her seventh goal of the season with help from Whitney who earned the assist to make it a 10-6 game. Roger Williams scored two more goals but with a final push from Clayman and Murphy the Blue and Green secured the victory with a 12-8 final score.

On the draw, Murphy worked hard posting six to go along with her five point game while Campos controlled four draws. The Hawks worked hard on defense almost doubling the Gulls in groundballs but the Blue and Green were able to take advantage of penalties by Roger Williams as they scored two man-up goals.

Endicott will see action next on Wednesday, March 26^th when they host CCC opponent the University of New England at 4:00 p.m. in Endicott Stadium. Roger Williams will play conference opponent Gordon on the 26^th as well when they travel to Wenham, Mass. for a 4:00 p.m. start.