(Photo Courtesy of UMass Lowell Athletics) “Jillian Gordie passes Merrimack player.”
Sarah Mahannah
Connector Editor
The women’s lacrosse team is on a win streak as they stand 2-0 after a crushing 18-9 victory over the Merrimack College Warriors. Senior Megan Brockbank and freshman Jillian Goldie took home career-highs, each recording seven points. This record of 2-0 is the first time in their program’s history.
In total, 11 River Hawks were able to score a point against the Warriors. Goldie was able to score five goals and two assists. Brockbank finished with three goals along with four points. Sophomore Audra Hansen tallied in with three goals.
There were a few firsts for the team, as freshmen Marlee Green and Bronwyn Hilbert scored their first career goals. Mia Mitchell was able to acquire her first collegiate assist.
Sophomore Hannah Shaddock held the net for most of the game, and had one save in 30 minutes. Junior Kendall Whalen took over in the second half and made two saves.
The River Hawks started the game off strong, with sophomore Grace Lydon scoring the first goal of the game just a little over two minutes in. Sophomore Macy Shultz was able to acquire her first goal of the school year and, shortly after, Lydon made the game 3-0 just 10 minutes into the match.
Merrimack broke their scoreless stretch with a goal by graduate student Natalie Calkins at the 8:40 mark. The River Hawks would fight right back with six-straight goals to lead 9-1 heading into the second quarter.
The River Hawk’s defense also stood strong this game, holding the Warriors off at the start of the quarter. Merrimack was able to get to the back of the net with two goals within a minute by freshmen Kaitlin Roche and Lindsay Atkinson.
In a quick response, Goldie and Hansen retook the eight-goal lead with two goals at the 8:10 and 6:54 marks. Merrimack added another shortly after at the 6:05 mark by sophomore Grace Boneau. The River Hawks were able to hold the Warriors off and added another two goals by Jenn McCarry and Goldie.
The River Hawks went into the second half with the same energy and force they brought to the first. Goldie was able to score her fifth goal of the day with 13:27 left on the clock. Bronwyn Hilbert and Megan Brockbank were able to score at the 6:25 and 4:05 marks. This would be Hilbert’s first collegiate goal.
The Warriors would find their groove, scoring two goals in three minutes by Sophie Scearbo and Samantha Spieler less than 10 minutes into the quarter. Georgia Parker was able to bring Merrimack’s score up to 7 with 4:50 left in the third.
Heading strong into the fourth with a score of 16-7, the River Hawks looked to take a victory. Freshman Maddy Izzo garnered her first collegiate point with an assist on a goal by Brockbank. Marlee Green extended the lead to 18-7 with nine minutes left in regulation.
Merrimack attempted to score a comeback as they scored twice in the final five minutes. Although they gained goals from Kaitlin Roche and Georgia Parker, the River Hawks were able to seal a 18-9 victory.
