Lax Sets Program's Single-Season Win Record with Victory over Wagner

The Central Connecticut women's lacrosse team set a new program record for victories in a season with an 11-9 win over Wagner on Friday afternoon.  With their eighth victory of the season the Blue Devils surpass the 2011 and 2012 teams, which both won seven games.  The Blue Devils also passed the school record for Northeast Conference victories by earning their sixth of the season.

The Seahawks (5-10, 1-6 NEC) had possession of the ball for most of the second half and built a 8-6 lead over the Blue Devils (8-5, 6-0 NEC), but CCSU answered with a 5-1 run over the final 14:32 to win the game.  The victory extends CCSU's school record winning streak to seven games and gives the 2013 squad the pair of win-records.

"I am very proud to have reached this milestone," head coach Kelly Nangle said after the game. "It is a statement to the hard work and dedication of this group of kids, but it is just one step, our goal is to reach the NEC Tournament."

Junior Claire Healy scored CCSU's first goal of the second half by intercepting a pass deep in Wagner territory and heading straight to the goal with just the keeper to beat.

After a pair of Wagner goals, which made it an 8-6 game, the Blue Devil offense needed a spark, which came on senior Betsy Vendel's first goal of the game.  Vendel's score with 14:32 left to play started CCSU's strong closing run.  Just 30 seconds later following a Wagner foul, freshman Falynn McCartney scored a free position goal to tie the game at 8-8.

Wagner scored again to take a 9-8 lead, but CCSU responded with a final 3-0 run to close the game.

McCartney delivered her second game-tying goal of the half with 11:35 left to tie the score at 9-9.  Vendel followed less than 90 seconds later with her second goal of the game, junior Amanda Toke assisted on Vendel's goal.

After giving her team the lead with her second score of the game, Vendel added an insurance goal and picked up a hat-trick on a free position shot with 6:37 left to play.

In the first half, the Blue Devils built a 4-1 lead with 14:09 left in the period, but the Seahawks scored four straight goals to close the period and take a 5-4 lead into the half.

Freshman Elyse Malecki scored the Blue Devils first goal of the game as she came around the left side of the net after starting behind the goal.  Senior Mackenzy Ryan scored the second Blue Devil goal with an assist from Healy.

Following Wagner's first goal of the game, Toke scored on a free position shot and Healy scored with the help of Vendel to give CCSU its 4-1 lead.

Senior Cierra Ward led the CCSU defense with three caused turnovers and a ground ball.  Sophomore goalkeeper Morgan Tullar made six saves and contributed four ground balls and a pair of caused turnovers.  Toke was also strong on defense for the Blue Devils with two caused turnovers and four ground balls.

In addition to Vendel, Healy also had a hat-trick in the game.  Vendel and Healy each had four points to share a team-high.

Senior Ali Roche recorded a caused turnover in the game to tie the CCSU single-season record, which she set last season.

The Blue Devils return to action on Sunday at LIU Brooklyn.  The game is scheduled for a 12 p.m. start.