SAINTS SLIP PAST PRIDE IN OT, 15-12

WESTON, Mass. – For the second straight season, Emmanuel College needed overtime to defeat Regis College, this time by a 15-12 score in women's lacrosse action on Wednesday night in Weston, Mass. Regis falls to 1-2 on the year, while Emmanuel picks up its first win of the season to move to 1-0.

The Saints' Madeline Leahy (Cohasset, Mass.) scored with only 37 seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime and tie the score at 12-12. Emmanuel added three goals in the extra period to down the Pride.

EC came out the aggressor as they scored the first three goals of the contest to jump out to an early 3-0 lead. Kristen Tuleja (Mansfield, Mass.) got the scoring started for the Saints before Sarah Wooten (Berlin, Md.) took a pass from behind the net from Leahy to put EC on top 2-0. Leahy later scooped up a groundball and made a pass in front of the net to Monica Burdick (Pawcatuck, Conn.), who placed the ball in the open net for the Saints' third goal.

Regis responded with five-straight goals of their own as Andrea Barbosa (Taunton, Mass.) found Lindsey Graver (Bellingham, Mass.) on the goal line for an open shot that made it a 3-1 deficit. Grace Politis (Billerica, Mass.) and Sam Salamone (Milford, Mass.) then traded goals for Regis, with two of Salamone's coming on free-position attempts and Politis adding an unassisted goal and one on a feed from Salamone to make it 5-3. The Saints tacked on a pair of free-position goals in the final 2:30 of play to enter the half tied 5-5.

Adena Joseph (Stoughton, Mass.) opened the scoring in the second half with an unassisted goal to put Regis on top 6-5, but Kristen Tuleja answered with a free-position goal to knot the score at six. Madeline Leahy put Emmanuel on top 7-6 on Leahy's second tally of the contest, but Salamone answered with a blast on a free-position shot to tie the score at 7-7.

Another Leahy goal made it an 8-7 game before Sashae Walls (Everett, Mass.) and Katie Haidemenos (Warwick, R.I.) scored a mere 26 seconds apart to give the Pride its first lead of the second half at 9-8. Emmanuel's Alexia Basile (West Hartford, Conn.) tied the game 9-9 on a free-position attempt and the Pride took the lead back when a pass from Salamone was tipped home by Haidemenos, making it a 10-9 game.

The Saints responded with back-to-back goals from Sarah Higgins (Groveland, Mass.) and Madison Altwies (Southington, Conn.) to put EC back on top 11-10. This time Regis answered when Salamone found an open Graver in front of the net to tie it at 11-all. Salamone then put the Pride on top on a similar play as Adena Joseph found the rookie in front of an open net on the fastbreak to give Regis a 12-11 lead with 7:18 remaining.

Both offenses stalled over the next six-plus minutes as Regis could not find an insurance goal, while the Saints could not find the equalizer. With only 37 seconds remaining in regulation, Madeline Leahy scooped up a loose ball behind the net and ran around the goal, blasting the ball top shelf and forcing overtime with the score tied 12-12.

The extra frame was all Emmanuel as the Pride only attempted one shot in the final six minutes, while EC scored three goals en route to the 15-12 victory. Alexia Basile picked up the game-winner with a free position shot 42 seconds into OT.

Samantha Salamone led the Pride with four goals, three assists, five groundballs, and 11 draw controls. Grace Politis, Katie Haidemenos, and Lindsey Graver added two goals apiece, while Sashae Walls and Adena Joseph added a goal each. Mary Roma (Portland, Maine) and Andrea Barbosa each grabbed four groundballs. Emma Decker (Southborough, Mass.) suffered the setback for the Pride while making 14 saves and picking up six groundballs.

The Saints were paced by five goals, three assists, and four draw controls from Madeline Leahy, while Kristen Tuleja, Madison Altwies, and Alexia Basile added two goals apiece. Sarah Higgins scooped up a team-best five groundballs to lead the defense. Lauren White (Lynnfield, Mass.) picked up her first career win while making 10 saves.

The Crimson and Gold will try and rebound on Saturday afternoon as the Pride welcomes Green Mountain College to Weston, Mass. for a 1:00 p.m. game. Emmanuel is back in action on Monday, March 18, as the Saints will host Nichols College in a 7:00 p.m. contest.