Saints Too Strong In Second Half, Defeat USJ 17-10

BOSTON, Mass.— The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) women's lacrosse team kept it close throughout, but could not overcome a six-goal first half deficit, as they were defeated by Emmanuel College (EC), 17-10, at Roberto Clemente Field Saturday afternoon.

The Saints (3-3, 2-1 GNAC) snap a three-game losing streak, while the Blue Jays (2-6, 0-5 GNAC) have lost back-to-back contests. Six players scored 17 goals for EC, led by sophomore attack Emily Saef (Moultonborough, N.H.), who sank a game-high six goals. She also had an assist. Freshman attack Taya Valdez (East Lyme, Conn.) led the Blue Jays with five, while junior attack Charlotte Eberhardt (Thomaston, Conn.) added in three.

USJ was on the board first, as freshman midfielder Jenna Banta (Montville, Conn.), who leads the Blue Jays in goals on the season, scored less than 30 seconds in. The Saints sank the next five goals, as freshman attack Jennifer Borduas (Woodbury, Conn.) scored back-to-back, both assisted by junior attack Kylie Rice (Bethlehem, Conn.). EC took a 5-1 lead less than four minutes in.

The Blue Jays could get no closer than three goals the remainder of the half, as excessive fouls made things difficult down the stretch (USJ had twice as many fouls as EC, 24-11). The Saints took a 10-4 lead into halftime.

Valdez scored four of her five goals in the second half, including two in less than a minute. Eberhardt assisted the first, the second was unassisted, and the gap was quickly cut to 4, 13-9, with 13:26 left in the game. The Blue Jays were very much alive, as freshman goalkeeper Silvana Barcomb (Middletown, Conn) put in an all-out effort in the crease.

USJ held EC scoreless the next three minutes, but could not find the net themselves, and eventually Saef broke free and scored again. That was the first of three straight goals for the Saints, which ultimately put the game away.  

Up Next
The USJ women's lacrosse team will be back in action next on Saturday, April 6 when they host Rivier (NH) in another GNAC contest. The opening draw is set for 5:00 p.m. on Arute Field, on the campus of Central Connecticut State University, in New Britain, CT.

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