Women’s Swimming Nearly Pulls Off Season Opener Upset

WESTON, Mass. – The men's and women's swimming and diving teams took on the University of New England with the women's team winning eight events but narrowly falling to the Nor'easters 142-138. The men's team competed and UNE's club team and posted a dominant 134-62 win.

"We had a great day racing in our first meet of the season," said head coach James Sweeney. "The women almost had a huge upset win against UNE who have beaten us easily over the years. To see us improve so much is tremendous and to have great contributions from many freshman is great to see. The men cruised to a victory as many of them swam some of their off events as we prepare for next weekend's invitational meet."

Jessica Higgins (Peabody, Mass.) had an excellent meet for the Pride, winning the 200 free (2:06.77), 100 back (1:03.90) and the 50 fly (28.39). She also teamed up with Ashlyn DeRoche (North Reading Mass.), Sara Leonard (Brockton, Mass.) and Amanda Graf (Newton, Mass.) to win the 200 free relay (1:47.52).

The Pride also had the top two finishers in both the 50 yard backstroke and butterfly. Leonard and Graf finished one-two in the backstroke event and Jessica Zernitsky (Newton, Mass.) placed second behind Higgins in the fly.

UNE dominated the 100 back event with Lindsey Thomsen (Gorham, Maine), Briana Goud (Wiscasset, Maine) and Jordan Earley (Atkinson, N.H.) taking the top three spots.

The Pride men won every event but the 100 yard IM. Regis was most dominant in the 100 free and 50 fly accounting for the top three finishers in both races.

Elisabeth McQuaid (Marlborough, Mass.) competed in the one-meter dive for the Pride, posted a five-dive score of 144.90.

Both Pride teams will have two weeks off before hosting Bridgewater State and Eastern Connecticut State in a tri-meet on Saturday, Oct. 29 at 11:00 a.m. UNE competes next Saturday at the CCC Invitational.