Women's Lacrosse Drops 14-7 Decision to Coast Guard

NEW LONDON, Conn. -- The U.S. Coast Guard Academy women's lacrosse team posted a 14-7 victory over visiting Bridgewater State University on Friday evening at Cadet Memorial Field.

Coast Guard improves to 2-0 on the young season while Bridgewater State slips to 0-2.

Junior midfielder Caitlyn Coates (Hanover, Pa.) potted four goals while senior attack Addy Bass (Redondo Beach, Calif.) and freshman midfielder Mary Wahlin (Stafford, Va.) tallied three goals apiece for Coast Guard. Sophomore midfielder Abby McCallister (Pleasantville, N.Y.) recorded a game-best five points on a goal and four assists.

Senior attack Savannah Herrington (Kinnelon, N.J.) paced Bridgewater State with two goals and an assist. The visitors also received a pair of goals from sophomore midfielder Meredith Sylvia (South Dartmouth, Mass.) and junior midfielder Hannah Bowlby (Dalton, Mass.).

Bridgewater trailed 2-0 in the first quarter before consecutive goals by Sylvia, Herrington and junior attack Katy Shaw (Centerville, Mass.) gave the visitors a 3-2 lead with 12:32 remaining in the second period. Back-to-back markers by Coates and Wahlin put Coast Guard back on top before Sylvia answered to knot the game at 4-4. Coates responded just 32 seconds later to put the hosts up for good, and junior midfielder Laine Weber (Granite Bay, Calif.) closed out the first half scoring with just 19 seconds showing on the scoreboard.

Coast Guard limited the visitors to three shots in the third quarter and free position goals by Whalin, Coates and freshman midfielder Olivia Wahlin (Stafford, Va.) extended the lead to 9-4.

Bowlby converted off an assist from Herrington to close the gap to 9-5 with 11:30 left to play in the fourth quarter, but that would be as close as Bridgewater would get the rest of the way. Coast Guard scored five times over the final 11 minutes of the contest, including two goals from Bass, to pull away for the 14-7 win.

Coast Guard held a 33-20 shot advantage for the game as well as a 14-8 edge in draw controls. The hosts converted on 5 of 8 free position attempts with a 4-for-5 clip in the second half. Bridgewater was a perfect 2-for-2 on the free position in the first half but went 1-for-4 over the final 30 minutes.

Junior goalkeeper Maice Mintchwarner (Cream Ridge, N.J.) made eight saves to pick up the win in her season debut. Senior netminder Laura Giovaniello (Walpole, Mass.) turned aside six shots in the setback for Bridgewater State.

BSU junior midfielder Erin McIntyre (Tewksbury, Mass.) led all player with five draw controls and three caused turnovers. Bass and McAllister each recorded a game-best four ground balls. 

The two teams combined for 14 cards (five yellow) in the game with eight issued to Bridgewater State. 

In upcoming action, Bridgewater State travels to the University of New England next Friday afternoon to take on the Nor'easters at four o'clock.