PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The higher seeds both prevailed in the opening round of the 2023 Little East Conference (LEC) Women’s Lacrosse Championship Tournament, as third-seeded Southern Maine defeated sixth-seeded UMass Dartmouth and fourth-seeded Keene State defeated fifth-seeded Eastern Connecticut Tuesday.
 
No. 3 Southern Maine 16, No. 6 UMass Dartmouth 5
 
After going down 2-1 midway through first half, the Huskies’ offense erupted for 10 consecutive goals on their way to take a commanding 11-3 at halftime. That lead grew to 14-3 after USM scored the only three goals of the third quarter on their way to the 16-5 final. Southern Maine’s record improved to 10-8 with the win, while the Corsairs’ season ended at 8-8.
 
Cierra Hill (four goals, two assists) and Maddie Kinney (three goals, three assists) had six points each to lead the Huskies’ attack. Julia McKenna and Rachel Shanks also found the back of the net three times, while Cece Racine improved her record to 10-7 with her five-save effort.
 
Natalia Agrelo and Melanny Sanchez Alvarez scored two goals each for UMass Dartmouth. Payton Conceicao registered 13 saves in taking the loss in goal, dropping her record to 8-8.
 
No. 4 Keene State 22, No. 5 Eastern Connecticut 12
 
The Owls owned the first half of the contest, taking a 10-3 heading into the third quarter, which started with a three-goal Warrior run to cut their deficit to 10-6. Keene State responded with a four goal run of its own to close out the third, and after taking goals to start the fourth Eastern Connecticut went used a four-goal push to pull back within four at 17-12 with 6:23 to go.
 
That was as close as the Warriors would get down the stretch as the Owls closed the game with a five-goal surge to secure the 22-12 victory. Keene State’s record improved to 8-10 with the win, while Eastern Connecticut’s season ends at 5-11.
 
Mindy St. Claire scored a game-high six goal to lead the Owls attack, while Haile Ratajack netted four goals with one assist. Tess Brown and Jackie DeAngelis added three goals each for the hosts. Kara Moriarty totaled seven saves as her record improved to 7-4 with the victory.
 
Sydney Goyette scored four times to lead the Warriors, while Jessica Pyrek-Bennett found the back of the net three times. Madeline Horkey had five stops in taking the loss in goal after making her first start of the season.
 
Next Up
 
Thursday’s semifinals will see the Huskies travel to second-seeded Plymouth State for a 5 p.m. opening draw, while the Owls will head to top-seeded Western Connecticut for a 3:30 p.m. start.