NEWTON, Mass. – The Husson University women's lacrosse team built a commanding first-half lead and held off a late charge to defeat University of Massachusetts Boston, 10-8, on Saturday afternoon.
Sophomore Kate Boehmcke led the way for the Eagles with four goals and one assist, while senior Averi Baker added two goals and three assists, moving to within two points of tying the all-time program record for career points. Senior Gracie Gardner chipped in two goals and an assist, and senior Laela Martinez (one goal, one assist) and sophomore Reese Sullivan (one goal) rounded out the scoring.
Husson (1-1) wasted little time getting on the board. After UMass Boston (0-2) was issued a green card just over a minute into the contest, Sullivan capitalized on the extra-player opportunity, finishing a feed from Boehmcke at the 12:55 mark of the first quarter. Just under a minute later, Boehmcke found the back of the net off an assist from Gardner to push the lead to 2-0.
Following a Beacons goal to cut the deficit in half, Gardner converted a free-position attempt and Baker scored unassisted with 3:31 left in the opening quarter to give Husson a 4-1 advantage after one.
The Eagles seized full control in the second quarter, outscoring UMass Boston 5-0 in the frame. Martinez opened the scoring with a goal off a pass from senior Madison Lower at 14:41. Boehmcke then connected on back-to-back tallies — the first assisted by Baker — and Baker added a goal off a Martinez assist. Boehmcke capped the dominant stretch with a man-up goal at 2:06, again set up by Baker, to give Husson a commanding 9-1 halftime lead.
Husson extended the margin to 10-1 early in the third quarter when Gardner scored her second of the day at the 10:18 mark. From there, UMass Boston mounted a rally, scoring four times in the final four minutes of the third quarter to trim the deficit to 10-5 heading into the fourth.
The Beacons continued to pressure in the final period, adding three more goals to pull within 10-8 with 7:37 remaining. The Eagles' defense held firm down the stretch, however, as goalkeeper freshman Salin Bachor made seven saves in the contest and the Husson back line forced 14 caused turnovers.
Boehmcke led all players with six draw controls and five ground balls, while Gardner added five ground balls. Martinez contributed a team-high five caused turnovers and four ground balls, and junior Riley Maynard scooped up four ground balls. Baker recorded five points on the afternoon and added a draw control and two ground balls.
As a team, Husson held a 30-23 edge in ground balls and went 16-of-21 on clear attempts. The Eagles outshot UMass Boston 27-21, including a 19-11 advantage in shots on goal.
The Eagles conclude their weekend trip to Massachusetts on Sunday with a matchup against Suffolk University slated to begin at 12 p.m.
