Box Score NEWPORT, R.I. – The Salve Regina University women's lacrosse team outscored Rhode Island College by one goal in each half to earn a 15-13 victory during non-conference action at Gaudet Field on Thursday night. The win improves the Seahawks to 6-2 on the season, while the Anchorwomen fall to 1-4 overall.
Junior Kelly Burke (Georgetown, Mass.) led the way for the Seahawks, compiling a team-high five points (3g, 2a) and a game-high nine draw controls, while senior Sarah Livingston (Westford, Mass.) added three goals and an assist in the win. Junior Jennifer Jones (Basking Ridge, N.J.) and freshman Gina Tortorici (Deer Park, N.Y.) both had three points on two goals and an assist, with Tortorici adding four ground balls. Sophomore Alyssa Corvi (Barrington, R.I.) added a pair of markers for the Seahawks, while sophomore goalie Josie O'Reilly (Middletown, R.I.) made six saves in net to improve to 6-2 on the year.
The Anchorwomen were paced by senior Nicky Drolet (Somersworth, N.H.) who led all players with nine points on four goals and five assists. Sophomore Ashley Signoriello (Cranston, R.I.) scored a game-high five goals in the loss, while freshman Jessica Ricci (Hope, R.I.) totaled five points on three goals and two assists on the night.
The Anchorwomen took an early 2-0 lead out of the gate, as Drolet set up scores for both Molly Voyer (Lincoln, R.I.) and Ricci over the opening 11 minutes of play.
After Salve Regina head coach Jen Foster called a quick timeout to regroup, the Seahawks stormed back with three straight goals to take a 3-2 advantage. Burke fed Livingston to get Salve Regina on the board with 17:12 remaining in the half. Jones then assisted on a goal by Corvi, before collecting an marker of her own to give the Seahawks the lead.
Drolet answered for RIC with just under 10 minutes left in the half to tie the score at 3-all.
The Seahawks responded with consecutive goals, as sophomore Kristie Cox (Nashua, N.H.) set up Tortorici for the first tally, before then scoring herself to give SRU a 5-3 advantage.
The Anchorwomen rallied back with three goals in under 1:30 to retake the lead, 6-5. Drolet scored each of the first two goals to tie the game, before Voyer hit Ricci for the go ahead tally.
Salve Regina countered with the final two goals of the half, as Burke and Tortorici both scored to send the Seahawks into the break holding a 7-6 advantage.
The back-and-forth battle continued through the second half, as the two teams found themselves tied at 11-all with under 13 minutes remaining.
That's when the Seahawks made their move, exploding for four straight goals to take the largest lead of the contest at 15-11. Livingston got the rally started, scoring off a feed from sophomore Grace Kelly (Auburn, N.Y.) before setting up Burke just 30 seconds later. Junior Hannah McAvoy (Saco, Maine) followed with what turned out to be the game-winning goal, before the run was capped by the a free position goal by Jones.
Refusing to go away quietly, the Anchorwomen battled back with a pair of unassisted goals by Signoriello in the final five minutes.
However, the Seahawks were able to maintain possession and run-off the final minutes of the half to preserve the 15-13 victory.
Both teams return to action this Saturday, with the Anchorwomen traveling to face Eastern Connecticut State for their LEC opener, and the Seahawks returning to CCC play by welcoming Western New England for a 2:30 p.m. contest.