Second Half Comeback Comes Up Short in Season Opening Loss to Army

The Central Connecticut women's lacrosse team opened its 2016 season with an 8-7 loss on the road at Army on Saturday.  Trailing 7-2 at halftime, the Blue Devils used a furious second half comeback to climb to within 8-7 in the final minutes.

The loss moves CCSU to 0-1 on the season.  They will play again on the road at Brown on Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 4 p.m.

Down 7-2 at the half, the Blue Devils scored twice in the opening five minutes of the second half to cut the deficit to 7-4.  Sophomore Kylie Sullivan scored her first goal of the season just under two minutes into the half, and then assisted on the second goal of the game from senior Madison Hughes to cut the lead to three.

Army scored their only goal of the second half with 23:02 left in the game to push the lead to 8-4, but the Blue Devil defense would hold the Black Knights scoreless for the remainder of the game.

Central scored twice in a five minute span and with 16:14 left trailed just 8-6.  Hughes scored her third goal and freshman Jenna Henningsen scored her first career goal with 16:14 left to cut the deficit to two.

Junior Alexandra Hooker scored her first of the season with 2:45 left, but the Blue Devils could get no closer than 8-7, the eventual final score.

Hughes finished the game with three goals and a pair of assists.  Sullivan added a goal and an assist and Hooker, senior Falynn McCartney and Henningsen each added a goal in the loss.

A pair of Blue Devils combined to play the game in goal. Freshman Jackie Branthover made a save in 40:29 of play in her first career game.  Freshman Diana Lenares played the final 19:31 and allowed just one goal in her first career game played.