Hughes Scores Three But Women's Lacrosse Drops 12-7 Decision at Lafayette
Branthover makes eight saves in goal for the Blue Devils in loss
Senior Madison Hughes scored three times but the Central Connecticut women's lacrosse team dropped a 12-7 decision on the road at Lafayette on Monday afternoon. The game was rescheduled from earlier in the season. It is the final non-conference game of the season for the Blue Devils who will begin league play on Friday at Wagner.
The three goals from Hughes give her a team-best 12 goals on the season, to go along with a team-high 21 points. She has scored in six straight games and her three goals match a season-high. She also added an assist on Monday.
Freshman goalkeeper Jackie Branthover, the Co-Rookie of the Week this week in the Northeast Conference, made at least eight saves for the seventh time this season. She is among the league leaders in both saves and save percentage this season.
On Monday the Blue Devils took a 2-0 lead on goals from Hughes and freshman Carson Adelberger with 21:46 left in the first half. Lafayette tied the game 2-2 with a pair of goals in the next three minutes. After Hughes scored her second of the game, and the Blue Devils led 3-2, the Leopards scored four straight before halftime to build a 6-3 lead.
Lafayette extended the lead in the second half by scoring the first five goals of the half to push the lead to 11-3 with 13:43 to play.
They led 12-4 with seven minutes left before the Blue Devils put on a late charge and cut the lead to 12-7 with 2:06 to play. Hughes scored her third of the game during the mini-run, and freshman Jenna Henningsen added a goal. Sophomore Marissa Cotroneo scored twice in the second half for the Blue Devils.
The Blue Devils return to action in their first league game of the season with a 4 p.m. game on the road at Wagner on Friday.