GORHAM, Maine – Sixth-year senior Rachel Shanks (Naples, Maine/Lake Region) scored seven goals and assisted on two more in a 21-5 win for the University of Southern Maine Huskies' women's lacrosse team over the Vermont State University Castleton Spartans. Shanks' nine points are a season high. Senior Kiaya Gatchell (Portland, Maine/Deering) recorded a goal and three assists to reach the 100-career points milestone.
 
Junior Julia McKenna (Windham, Maine) scored five goals and recorded an assist. Two Huskies recorded career firsts in the win. Freshman Caitlin D'Andrea (Lewisonton, Maine) recorded the first points of her career with a pair of goals and an assist. Sixth-year senior Payton Winslow (Auburn, Maine/St. Anthony's) recorded the first assist of her career on a final-minute goal by junior Anna Byers (Milford, Ct./ Joseph A. Foran). Byers and sophomore Molly Black (Windham, Maine) each scored two goals.
 
The Records:
VTSU Castleton: 2-14 (1-6 LEC)
Southern Maine: 7-7 (3-4 LEC)
 
Series History:
The two programs have now played 21 times with the Huskies leading the series 15-6. The Huskies have won the last seven meetings.
 
The Goaltenders:
VTSU Castleton: Tien Connor (0-3), 60:00, 21 goals allowed, six saves
Southern Maine: Cece Racine (5-7), 60:00, five goals allowed, four saves
 
How It Happened:

• Castleton, who were playing a player down today due to injuries, scored the first goal less than five minutes into the action off a strike by Gianna Geraci. The Huskies then countered with five goals to close out the quarter. Shanks scored twice in the quarter and assisted on a goal by sophomore Elaina Hanselmann (Sanford, Maine).
• The Huskies erupted for eight goals in the second quarter with McKenna scoring three times and Gatchell scoring a goal and recording two assists.
• D'Andrea scored twice in the third quarter and assisted on a goal by Shanks. Gatchell also assisted on a goal by Shanks to reach 100 career points. avor with an assist of her first career goal.
• Shanks, McKenna and Gatchell each scored in the fourth quarter as the Huskies ended the game on a 3-0 run.

 
Inside The Stats:

• The Huskies doubled the Spartans' draw control total at 18-9. McKenna led all players with six followed by Castleton's Megan Ward, who also scored twice in the game.
• Gatchell also caused four turnovers in the game and had six ground balls.
• McKenna scored three times on free-position shots. The game featured 10 yellow cards with the Spartans recording six and Huskies earning four.
• Racine earned the win in goal and has tied the program record for career wins at 26.

Up Next:
The Huskies will be the fifth seed in the upcoming Little East Conference Tournament and will play on Tuesday. The team's opponent has yet to be determined.