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Highlights
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – Led by
Ally DaCosta and
Meghan Dzialo's combined 11 points, the Merrimack College women's lacrosse team's offense was clicking all Saturday afternoon at Duane Stadium in a 14-10 victory over Saint Francis.
DaCosta distributed the ball incredibly well with six assists to set a single game career-high at the Division I level and Dzialo scored five times to mark a team-high.
Haley Bartlett also found the back of the net on four occasions.
After the teams were deadlocked after the first half, the Warrior defense shined when it held the Red Flash off the board for nearly 17 straight minutes, which played a major role in the final outcome. Merrimack also never trailed for the duration of the game.
The win marked the Warriors' first ever NEC victory, as they were never able to play a conference game in 2020.
The Basics
Score: Merrimack 14, Saint Francis 10
Records: Merrimack (1-1, 1-0 NEC) | Saint Francis (0-2, 0-1 NEC)
How It Happened
- Merrimack was off and running right away 53 seconds in when Catherine Mahanna maneuvered her way into a shooting position, then ripped one home to the near side.
- The Warriors continued on to a 3-0 run to begin the game with Dzialo's first of the day, then Vicki Palmer found the back of the net off a free position.
- Saint Francis tried to muscle its way back into the game with two quick goals 19 seconds apart, but Bartlett had an answer. The senior scored two in a row 36 seconds apart, including a highlight reel turnaround shot.
- The Red Flash found a way to get back to level after Bartlett's run with a 3-0 run of their own that finished at the 15:10 mark of the first half.
- Taylor Darrell and Kylie Ward had markers over the next eight minutes, but Saint Francis answered both times to send the teams to the break with a 7-7 tie.
- The opening 17 minutes of the second half was dominated by the Warriors and the DaCosta/Dzialo tandem. Dzialo scored twice in the opening five minutes with assists from DaCosta on both.
- Bartlett added her hat trick goal with 19:27 to play, then Dzialo struck again from DaCosta with 13:22 to go.
- The Red Flash stopped the bleeding 13 seconds later, then brought the deficit to two with 10:26 to play.
- Dzialo put an end to the run with her fourth of the half with 8:48 to play, but Saint Francis hung around with a tally just two minutes afterwards.
- With the game still up for grabs, Darrell made a game-changing play. On a free position with 3:19 left, she ripped a shot home, then got knocked down after to put the Red Flash a woman down.
- Bartlett wrapped the game up with 1:51 to play on another DaCosta assist to claim the 14-10 victory.
Notes & Numbers
- Gabby Cacciola was a big part of the strong defensive performance, as she made seven saves.
- Mahanna led the team for the second game in a row with four ground balls.
- Mahanna, Kelly Corrigan, Kelsey Daly and Dzialo all had two caused turnovers.
- Dzialo had a team-high four draw controls.
- Shots (MER-SFU): 26-25 (20-17 SOG)
- Draw Controls (MER-SFU): 14-12 Ground Balls (MER-SFU): 17-18
- Turnovers (MER-SFU): 19-22 // Clears (MER-SFU): 16-23 // 15-19
Up Next
The Warriors hit the road Mar. 10 for a midweek contest against NEC foe, Bryant. Draw control is slated for 3:00 pm.
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