Lacrosse Blanked in GNAC Opener

NEWTON, Mass. – The University of Saint Joseph lacrosse team was defeated, 20-0, on the road by the Mount Ida Mustangs in the Blue Jays Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) opener at Alumni Field on Saturday afternoon.

The Blue Jays played down a man the entire game and drop to 1-1 on the year with setback despite 15 saves from junior net minder Emily Bourassa (Bristol, Conn.). Emily McConnell (Dracut, Mass.) and Brooke Scahill (Ledyard, Conn.) scored five goals apiece for the Mustangs, who improve to 6-1 on the season and now have four clean sheets to their name.

Mount Ida took a double digit lead before the halfway mark of the first half, including scoring four goals between the 18:00 and 17:00 mark of the period.

McConnell completed a hat trick at 17:40 and Alyssa Kelly (Lee, Mass.) also scored two of her four goals in the opening half.

Jessica Henry (Wilbraham, Mass.) and Eleanor Garvey (Elkridge, Md.) combined for the shutout, with Henry making one save and Garvey making three stops as the Mustangs had a 44-4 edge in shots.

Scahill won seven draws, helping Mount Ida best the Blue Jays 14-6, and Kelly grabbed a team-high seven ground balls.

Senior Nicole Pavao (Peabody, Mass.) had three goals and caused three turnovers while also picking up five ground balls in the win.

USJ got two draw controls from senior Mary Lam (Newington, Conn.) and two more from junior Amanda Van Buren (Burlington, Conn.). Junior Hannah Lemek (Bristol, Conn.) posted three shots on goal.

The University of Saint Joseph lacrosse team will return to action next when they host Newbury College on Wednesday, March 29 on Arute Field at Central Connecticut State University at 7 p.m.