WELLESLEY, Mass. – Rachel Shanks (Naples, Maine/Lake Region) scored six goals and
Jillian Nichols (Gorham, Maine/Gorham) added two assists to lead the University of Southern Maine Huskies over the Wellesley College Blue 11-7 on Wednesday afternoon in Wellesley.
When and Where: Wednesday, March 30 – Wellesley College – Butler Stadium
Score: Southern Maine 11, Wellesley 7
History: This was the third matchup between the two teams. The Blue now lead the series 2-1.
The Records: Southern Maine: 5-3; Wellesley 2-5
The Goaltenders:
Southern Maine:
Cece Racine (Lewiston, Maine/Lewiston): 16 saves, .696 save percentage
Wellesley:
Lorna Li (Taunton, Mass./Taunton): nine saves, .563 save percentage
Hannah Pangborn (Raleigh, N.C./Ravenscroft): 1 save, .200 save percentage
How It Happened/Inside the Box Score:
-The Blue got off to a fast start winning the opening draw and taking the ball the length of the field to score and take an early 1-0 lead. Eleanor Mallet (Berwick, Maine) scored the first goal of the game, just 16 seconds into play.
-The Huskies dominated the remainder of the first quarter scoring three more goals to Wellesley's one. Kiaya Gatchell (Portland, Maine/Deering) scored back to back goals and Shanks added her first goal of the game. Willa McGough (Plainfield, N.H.) scored on a free position shot for the Blue at the end of the quarter to bring the score to 3-2 in favor of Southern Maine.
-Wellesley tied the game at the beginning of the second quarter on a goal from Liz Sugg (Palermo, Maine), but back to back free position goals for Shanks and Nichols regained the lead for Southern Maine. Shanks and Sugg each had one more goal in the second quarter to make the halftime score 6-4 Wellesley.
-Southern Maine dominated the third quarter as Shanks and Kate Colvin (Winchester, Mass./Governor's Academy) each scored twice. The Huskies led 10-5 going into the fourth quarter.
-The Blue put the pressure on in the fourth quarter scoring twice in the opening six minutes to bring the deficit to just three goals. Shanks sealed the deal for the Huskies when she scored with 1:17 remaining in the game.
- Racine had an exceptional game in goal for the Huskies, making a career-high 16 saves.
-The Blue out-shot the Huskies 30-26 but Southern Maine was able to convert on 6-of-10 free position attempts to Wellesley's 4-of-10.
Up Next: The Huskies will host Castleton University on Saturday, April 2 at noon to open Little East Conference play.
