Women's Lacrosse Falls in Season Opener

The Central Connecticut women's lacrosse team fell to La Salle on Saturday afternoon at Arute Field.  The Blue Devils (0-1) were playing for the first time this season, while the Explorers were their third game of the season.  La Salle earned the victory by a score of 14-8.

Senior Claire Healy got the Blue Devils on the board first with an unassisted goal 5:53 into the game.

The Explorers followed Healy's goal with four straight scores to take a 4-1 lead, but the Blue Devils responded with goals by seniors Amanda Toke and Meaghan McCurry.  McCurry assisted on Toke's goal, while Healy helped McCurry find the net.

La Salle responded with a goal, but CCSU again answered.  This time Healy scored on a free position shot to make it a 5-4 game with 8:33 left in the game.

La Salle added a pair of scores over the final six minutes of the half to take a 7-5 lead into the break.

The Blue Devils opened the second half scoring with sophomore Elyse Malecki scoring off a pass from junior Brigit Hogan 67 seconds into the period.

La Salle followed with three straight goals over the next 11 minutes to take a 10-5 lead.

CCSU answered at the 11:04 mark with an unassisted goal by sophomore Falynn McCartney.  Five minutes later, Healy found the net off a pass from Malecki to make it a 10-7 game.  Healy's goal was her third of the game.

The Explorers put the game away with four goals over the next four minutes, including three by Erin McCabe who finished the game with five goals for La Salle.

However, McCurry notched the final score of the game, on a pass from Toke, with 2:11 left to play.

Healy finished with a team-high four points (three goals, one assist).  McCurry finished with three points (two goals, one assist) and Malecki and Toke each had a goal and an assist.

Toke also shared a team-high for draw controls with McCartney, both players had six.

Senior Ashley Olhausen finished the game with three ground balls and a caused turnover for the CCSU defense.

Junior goalkeeper Morgan Tullar took the loss for the Blue Devils.  She made 10 saves, but allowed 14 goals in the game.

The Blue Devils return to action on Wednesday afternoon against Iona.  That game is scheduled for a 4 p.m. start at Arute Field.