NORTH ANDOVER, Mass.: Behind a pair of hat tricks from Emma Kittredge and Kelly Nolan, the Sacred Heart University women's lacrosse team extended its winning streak to five straight as the Pioneers topped the Merrimack Warriors, 13-7, on the road Wednesday afternoon at Duane Stadium.
 
Kittredge finished the day with a team-high of four points behind three goals and an assist, while Nolan netted three of her own.
 
With a goal and an assist, Shae Insinga finished with a team-high seven draw controls and three ground balls. Behind her two won draw controls, Leah Durkin reached a significant milestone as the junior recorded her 100th career draw control in the first period. 
 
Between the pipes was Lisa Martin, who earned her seventh win of the season and tallied seven saves in net for the red and white. 
 
Results:
SHU (7-5, 6-1 NEC)
MER (3-10, 3-4 NEC)
 
Top Performers:
Emma Kittredge – 4 points (3G, 1A)
Kelly Nolan – 3 points (3G)
Maggie Araneo – 2 points (2G)
  
Goalkeepers:
SHU: Lisa Martin (W) – 7 goals-against | 7 saves
MER: Haley Kowalczyk (L) – 12 goals-against | 8 saves
MER: Zoe Inglis – 1 goal-against | 1 save
 
Of Note:
The Pioneers started regulation with the hot hand, scoring four quick goals, including a pair from Kittredge, over five minutes to take the early lead, 4-0. 
 
Shortly after, momentum shifted in favor of the Warriors, as the hosts scored back-to-back goals to trim the deficit in half, 4-2. Kittredge closed out the first period, recording her fifth hat trick of the season, giving SHU the three-goal advantage, 5-2, heading into the next period.
 
At the 10:27 mark of the second, Merrimack's Natalie Calkins was able to find the back of the net against Martin and brought the hosts to within two, 5-3. 
 
However, three minutes later, a free position goal from Nolan pushed SHU's lead back up to three, 6-3, before a goal from Taylor Farace at 1:31 would give the Pioneers a 7-3 lead at the half.
 
The third quarter saw the Pioneers outscore the Warriors, 5-1, to extend their lead to 12-4 heading into the fourth and final period. Maggie Araneo paced the visitors with a pair of goals, while Nolan collected her second hat trick of the season.
 
SHU's Maci Black capped the Pioneers' scoring in the final stanza, 13-4. Merrimack rallied over the final two minutes, scoring three goals, but came up short when the final buzzard went off. 
 
Up Next:
The Pioneers continue NEC play on Saturday, April 13, with a home bout against the Red Flash of Saint Francis on Senior Day. Game time is set for 1:00 PM at Campus Field.