FAIRFIELD, Conn. – A dominant effort on both ends of the field in the second half led the Sacred Heart University women's lacrosse team to its first victory of the season. The Pioneers recorded a 16-4 Northeast Conference decision over Central Connecticut State on Wednesday.

Records:
Central Connecticut State: 0-4, 0-2 NEC
Sacred Heart: 1-2, 1-1 NEC

Top Performers:
Lydia Werlau (SHU) 5 goals, 1 assist
Mikala Eacrett (SHU): 3 goals 
Kerri Metzler (SHU): 2 goals, 3 assists

Goalkeepers:
Cooper Cowdin (CCSU): L, 0-4 9 saves, 16 goals
Bella Beaton (SHU): W, 1-2 9 saves, 4 goals

Up Next:
SHU goes on the road Saturday to face St. Francis at 1 p.m.

Of Note:
Sacred Heart ended the first half on a 3-0 run then outscored the Blue Devils 9-1 in the second half as they pulled away for the victory.

Lydia Werlau scored back-to-back to stake the Pioneers to a 4-0 lead just eight minutes into the first half. 

Central Connecticut State answered with three goals of its own, but the SHU defense didn't allow the Blue Devils to score the last 16 minutes of the half. Mikala Eacrett found the back of the net twice in a three-minute stretch to give the Pios a 7-3 lead at the half.

Morgan Sinton scored at the 21:04 mark of the second half, but that would be the last time CCSU scored the rest of the game. The Blue Devils were limited to six shots the rest of the game and SHU goalkeeper Bella Beaton made five of her nine saves to preserve the victory.

Five different Pioneers scored during a 7-0 run to finish the game, including two apiece by Werlau and Taylor Sweeney. 

SHU controlled the game by winning 12-of-18 draw controls. The Pioneers also had a 23-13 advantage in ground balls and outshot the visitors, 29-16.