FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The top-seeded Sacred Heart University women's lacrosse team came up short on Saturday afternoon in the Northeast Conference (NEC) Championship game to the second-seeded Sharks of LIU by a final score of 10-7.
The Pioneers were led offensively by Kelly Nolan, who finished with two goals and an assist for a team-high three points. Nolan also led the hosts in both draw controls with three and caused turnovers with two.
Lisa Martin recorded an 11-save performance between the pipes for the Pioneers.
Records:
SHU (11-6)
LIU (11-7)
Top Performers:
Kelly Nolan – 3 points (2G, 1A), 2 CT, 3 DC, 2 GB
Shae Insinga – 1 point (1G), 3 DC
Aidan Carlon – 2 CT, 2 GB
Goalkeepers:
SHU – Lisa Martin (L): 10 goals-against | 11 saves
LIU – Mylie Norton (W): 7 goals-against | 10 saves
All-NEC Tournament Team:
Mylie Norton, LIU (MVP)
Olivia Fantigrossi, LIU
Julia Trainor, LIU
Gina Toscano, LIU
Maggie Araneo, Sacred Heart
Ellie Holt, Sacred Heart
Emma Kittredge, Sacred Heart
Sofia D'Agostino, Stonehill
Grace Murphy, Stonehill
Ryan Murphy, Wagner
Kelsey Scheidel, Wagner
Of Note:
LIU controlled the opening period as the Sharks outscored the Pioneers, 3-0, to take the early lead.
The Pioneers responded with three straight goals to kick off the second period to even the game at 3-3. A free position goal from Jamie Tanner at 13:01 put the Pioneers on the board and ignited SHU's scoring spurt. From there, Sadie Stevens kept things going, scoring her first of the game on an excellent assist from Emi Waldron at 9:58, followed by an unassisted tally from Shae Insinga at 8:06.
However, the Sharks resumed offensive control and closed out the second with back-to-back goals, including a man-up goal from Pierson Schuchart, for the two-goal advantage, 5-3, at the half.
Five minutes into the third, Nolan cut the deficit in half, 5-4, but another scoring run by the Sharks made it a three-goal game, once again, 7-4. A goal from Maggie Araneo at 3:05 trimmed the deficit to within two, 7-5, heading into the final 15 minutes of regulation.
The fourth period saw the Pioneers battle back to within two, 8-6, after starting off the frame trailing by three, 8-5, following Nolan's second goal of the game. Unfortunately, SHU could not secure the late comeback, falling to the Sharks, 10-7.
