SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Western New England University used a nine-goal opening half to hold off Mount Holyoke College by a 12-8 margin on Saturday afternoon. With the win, the Golden Bears move to 6-5 on the season, while the Lyons slip to 5-5 overall.
WNE struck quickly in the match, earning a 1-0 lead less than two minutes into the frame. Lyons rookie Caroline Flynn tied the match off a feed from junior captain Julianna Rankin at the 26:!7 mark, but tallies from Kristen Breen and Eileen Ruby saw the home team take a 3-1 advantage with 25:33 to play.
MHC first year Abby Baldwin countered with back-to-back goals less than two minutes apart to tie the match at 3-all, but the Golden Bear took a two-tally advantage back as Ruby scored her second of the contest, followed by Kaitlyn Hutter at the 18:10 mark. MHC battled once more as senior attack Deyscha Smith fired in a pair of goals in less than 20 seconds, but the Golden Bears went on a four-goal run to close out the half with the 9-5 advantage.
In the second half, WNE struck first, but goals from Flynn and Rankin in the middle of the frame closed the gap to 10-7. Despite the momentum, MHC's defense was unable to hold off the home team, who added a pair of goals for a 12-7 advantage. Baldwin netted her third of the contest at 5:21.
Hutter from WNE and Baldwin each recorded a game-best three goals. For the Golden Bears, Samantha Vitka, Liz Mazza, Ruby and Reilly Miller all notched a pair of goals, with Ruby adding an assist. Madison Lemire notched a game-best six ground balls and also led the game with three caused turnovers.
For MHC, Baldwin added two ground balls and four draw controls. Flynn chipped in with two goals and an assist to go along with a game-best six draw controls, while senior captain Haley Subocz and sophomore Chelsea Braz each had four ground balls.
In goal, WNE's Kaitlyn Marchant earned the win with 12 saves, while Lyons junior Mia Wysocki shouldered the loss with 11 stops.
Mount Holyoke returns to action on Wednesday when it travels to Emerson College for a 4pm conference tilt. Western New England is back on the field on Monday, traveling to Western Connecticut State for a 7pm game.