(04-15-09) Easton, Mass. - The University of New Haven women's lacrosse team, nationally ranked No. 10, defeated No. 8 Stonehill College 10-9 Wednesday night in Massachusetts. With the win the Chargers break the Skyhawks nine-year, 86 game Northeast-10 Conference regular season winning streak. With the win the Chargers improve to 10-3 overall and 6-1 in the NE-10, while the Skyhawks fall to 8-3 overall and 8-1 in the NE-10.
In other conference action Bentley defeated Southern New Hampshire, giving the Chargers control of their own destiny in the race for the conference title and the top seed in the conference tournament which starts on Tuesday, April 26.
The Chargers fell down early as the Skyhawks scored four of the first five goals over a 20-minute span in the first half. Mallory Ferrandiz's goal in the 27th minute brought UNH within two (4-2) just before the half.
Stonehill added one to open scoring in the second half, before Brigid Brady answered with two scores to bring New Haven within one (5-4). The Skyhawks then went on a 3-0 to take a commanding 8-4 lead with just over 26 minutes remaining. The UNH seniors then took over and led the Chargers on a 4-0 run to tie the game. Brianna Kenworthy scored the first goal of the UNH rally in the 47th minute. Mallory Ferrandiz added her second and third goals of the game in the next thirty second, while Brady capped the Chargers comeback in the 48th minute.
Forty six seconds later the Skyhawks scored their ninth goal of the game and took a 9-8 lead. New Haven's underclassmen then scored the final two goals. Freshman Sarah Magnone tied the score at 9-9 in the 22nd minute and sophomore Ashley Ferrandiz scored the Chargers game-winner in the 24th minute.
The Chargers held off the Skyhawks in the final minutes and secured their 10th victory of the season.
Brady led the Chargers with four goals, while Mallory Ferrandiz added three goals and a game-high five ground balls. Ashley Ferrandiz tallied one goal and two assists.
"It was a very evenly matched game," said UNH head women's lacrosse coach Jen Fallon. "Our seniors really stepped up in the clutch moments and Maureen Spellman made some unbelievable saves in the goal," she added.
The Chargers trailed 10-11 in draw controls and 20-26 in ground balls. UNH led 15-10 in saves and were successful on 10-of-12 clear attempts.
The Chargers return to action on Saturday, April 18 when they host St. Michael's College at Kayo Field. Game time is set for 1 p.m.
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