Women's Lacrosse Claims Fifth NECC Title with Comeback Win over Elms

 WESTON, Mass. - For the fifth consecutive year, the #1 seed Regis (Mass.) women's lacrosse team has won the New England Collegiate Conference Championship, defeating #2 Elms 15-13 on Saturday afternoon at Regis Stadium.

With the win, the Pride advances to the NCAA Tournament, with a First Round game scheduled for next Saturday, May 13. The opponent will be determined on Sunday night with the NCAA Selection Show at 9:30 p.m. With the loss, Elms sees its season come to an end at 13-3.

The Blazers controlled the first half, carrying a 10-7 lead into halftime. Elms freshman Haley Richard (Monson, Mass.) scored four of her game-high five goals in the period, as Elms went wire-to-wire in the period. The Pride trailed by three goals on three occasions in the period, including at the halftime.

The second half was a completely different story, as the Pride was dominant in the period. Regis scored the period's first three goals to even the score at 10-10, capped by a goal by Mackenzie Cattaruzza (Guilford, Conn.). Richard's fifth of the game brought the Blazers back in front, but three goals from Linsay Bumila (Raynham, Mass.) and goals from Malorie Kiehl (Burlington, Mass.) and Kerri Anselmo (Natick, Mass.) led the Pride on what would be a championship-clinching 5-0 run to take a 15-11 lead. Elms sophomore Vanessa Vurno (Salem, Conn.) and junior Alissa Porfilio (Agawam, Mass.) scored late goals for Elms, but they proved too little too late, as the Pride claimed the win.

Bumila, who scored four goals and added an assist on the afternoon, was named the Tournament's Most Valuable Player. Anselmo and Regis junior Nicole Roche (Waltham, Mass.) each had hat tricks for the Pride, while Richard's five goals led the Blazers.

Junior goalkeeper Maresa Malcolm (Barrington, N.J.) made six saves to pick up her 12th win of the season. In the losing effort, Elms senior goalkeeper Meeghan O'Connor (Fall River, Mass.) turned away seven Pride shots.

Following the game, the following players were named to the 2017 NECC All-Tournament Team:

Kerri Anselmo, Regis
Kiana Koke (Queensbury, N.Y.), Regis
Taylor Assarian (Arlington, Mass.), Regis
Jackie Soucia (Belchertown, Mass.), Elms
Kathleen Tuechler (Farmingdale, N.Y.), Elms
Meeghan O'Connor (Fall River, Mass.), Elms
Madison Jung (Stafford Springs, Conn.), Elms
Meghan Lewis (Berwick, Maine), Wheelock
Violet Vig (Glastonbury, Conn.), Wheelock
Emily Lesure (Cheshire, Mass.), Southern Vermont
Mel Orrell (Gloucester, Mass.), Southern Vermont
Tournament MVP: Linsay Bumila, Regis

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