WOMEN’S LACROSSE POSTS 15-12 O.T. WIN IN SEASON OPENER

WESTON, Mass. – The Emmanuel College Women's Lacrosse Team battled to a 15-12 overtime victory at Regis College on Wednesday night in the Saints' season opener.  Senior co-captain Madeline Leahy (Cohasset, Mass.) had her hand in eight of the Saints' 15 goals, scoring five times and dishing out three assists on the night.  Emmanuel took last year's contest with Regis in overtime as well, a 13-12 victory for the 2012 season opener. The all-time series between these two programs now stands at 2-1 in favor of Emmanuel.  With tonight's loss, Regis falls to 1-2 on the season, while Emmanuel kicks off the year at 1-0 with the win.

Leahy scored with only 37 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the score at 12-12 and force overtime. 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 Wootten (Berlin, Md.) took a pass from behind the net from Leahy to put Emmanuel 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 of the night.

The Saints held a 3-0 lead, before the host Pride found the scoreboard for the first time at 18:16. Regis would then go on a five-goal over the next ten minutes to lead 5-3 with 8:19 remaining in the first half.

The Saints tacked on a pair of free-position goals by Madison Altwies (Southington, Conn.) and Leahy 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. Basile picked up the game-winner with a free position shot 42 seconds into OT.

The Saints were paced by five goals, three assists, and four draw controls from 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.

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.

Emmanuel is back in action on Monday, March 18, as the Saints host Nichols College in a 7:00 p.m. contest for their home opener.  Regis will try and rebound on Saturday afternoon as they host Green Mountain College to Weston, Mass. for a 1:00 p.m. game.

- Release courtesy of Regis College Sports Information