BANGOR, Maine — The Husson University women's lacrosse team withstood a late Thomas College rally to come away with a 12-8 decision in the home finale on Wednesday. 
 
Thomas (1-10, 0-5 NAC) scored the first goal of the game just over a 1:30 into the first quarter, but junior Averi Baker tied the game 1-1 with her 24th goal of the season near the midway point in the opening quarter. 
 
Husson (5-6, 3-1 NAC) added back-to-back goals, the first by junior Gracie Gardner on a woman-up opportunity and the second when Baker found junior Madison Lower for the 3-1 lead. 
 
The Terriers pulled within one of the Eagles in the final two minutes of the opening quarter to make the deficit 3-2, but a Thomas miscue led to an own goal to begin the second quarter and pushed the Husson advantage back to two goals. 
 
Thomas cut the lead back to one goal seconds later, but three-straight Eagles scores closed out the half and gave Husson a 7-3 edge. Senior Natalie Whitten recorded the first goal, followed by Baker and Whitten again on a woman-up opportunity. 
 
The Terriers began the third quarter with a score to end the Eagles 3-0 scoring run, but Husson answered with back-to-back goals by Whitten — her third of the game — and junior Laela Martinez added a score from senior Jordyn Lengle to run the deficit to 9-4. 
 
Thomas added its own back-to-back goals in the final three minutes, pulling within 9-6 before Martinez scored on an assist by Whitten to take a 10-6 lead. 
 
Beginning the fourth quarter, the Terriers opened on a 2-0 run, cutting the advantage to 10-8, but a crucial yellow card late in the quarter gave Husson a woman-up opportunity the Gardner netted her second goal of the game, from Whitten for an 11-8 edge and Lengle put home an insurance goal with :50 seconds remaining to give the Eagles the 12-8 decision. 
 
Whitten finished the night with three goals and two assists, while Martinez, Baker and Gardner each added two scores. Lengle racked up a team-high four ground balls and four draw controls, while sophomore Riley Maynard added a team-high three caused turnovers. 
 
Senior Emma Beegz stood tall in cage, recording two saves and getting the win. 
 
Husson will battle the University of Maine at Farmington on the road Saturday at noon before traveling to Maine Maritime Academy on Wednesday for the regular-season finale showdown.