NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – Needing a win to keep its playoff hopes alive, the Sacred Heart University women's lacrosse team came through on Saturday. The Pioneers went on the road to beat Merrimack, 9-7.

Records:
Merrimack: 2-10, 2-8 NEC
Sacred Heart: 6-7, 6-6 NEC

Top Performers:
Emma Kittredge (SHU): 4 goals
Taylor Sweeney (SHU): 3 goals

Goalkeepers:
Gabby Cacciola (SHU): L, 1-7; 11 Saves
Bella Beaton (SHU): W, 6-7; 12 Saves

Up Next:
The Pioneers wait to find out if they will get the fourth and final spot in the NEC Tournament.

Of Note:
SHU is a half game back of Bryant for the final playoff spot. The Bulldogs travel to LIU on Wednesday and a loss to the Sharks would implement the NEC tiebreaker.

Merrimack grabbed a 3-2 lead midway through the first half, but from there Taylor Sweeney and Emma Kittredge took over. 

With an extra attacker, Sweeney scored at the 12:09 mark then Kittredge followed two minutes later. The duo scored again in the final three minutes with Sweeney's tally giving SHU a 6-3 halftime advantage.

The Warriors scored the first three goals of the second half to draw even with 18:20 to play.

Kittredge came through again, sandwiching a pair of goals around a Kerri Metzler score in the span of 2:29 to give the Pioneers a lead they would not relinquish.

SHU's defense was the difference in the game as goalkeeper Bella Beaton made 12 saves. The Pioneers forced the Warriors into 19 turnovers and had a 23-13 advantage in ground balls.