WLAX: UConn Surges Past UMass Lowell 24-13
STORRS, Conn. – Bumping its home opener up a day due to the impending snow storm, the No. 25 UConn women's lacrosse team put on the pressure in the second half as it ran away with a 23-14 victory over UMass Lowell Thursday night at the Mark R. Shenkman Training Facility.
Leading by two after a back-and-forth first half, UConn erupted with a 4-0 streak coming out of the break and never looked back as it outscored the River Hawks 14-6 over the final 30 minutes of action. Senior Sydney Watson tallied four goals in the third quarter alone, and piled up a game-high six scores, eight point and 13 draw controls. Senior Grace Coon and junior Kyra Place also notched hat tricks as 11 different Huskies found the back of the net.
UMass Lowell had the hot hand early on as it took an early 4-1 grip. Following a timeout, senior Lia LaPrise either scored or assisted on three of UConn's next four goals to put the Huskies ahead, 5-4. LaPrise continued to tear up the River Hawk defense, finding senior Stephanie Palmucci before working her way from behind the cage to maintain a one-goal edge. Juniors Madelyn George and Kyra Place added their own unassisted scores as the Huskies headed into the locker room with a 9-8 advantage.
Junior Kate Shaffer and Place scored within 14-second span to spark a 4-0 streak that shifted the momentum of the game. Watson took over from there, scoring all four of her goals in the quarter solo as UConn extended its command to 17-11.
Sophomores Morgan Carter, Susan Lafountain, Abby Charron and junior Lauren Barry each found the back of the net in the fourth quarter for their first goals of the season.
UConn will head back on the road as it faces New Hampshire on Sunday, Feb. 27 at 1 p.m. Kacie Lewis '13 is in her first season as head coach of the Wildcats. Lewis was a two-time team captain and led UConn to its first NCAA Tournament appearance her senior year.
Source: UConn Athletics
