BABSON PARK, Mass. – The Endicott women's lacrosse team traveled to Babson on Thursday afternoon for a non-conference matchup. Led by a game-high three goals by senior Ellie Clayman (Beverly, Mass.) and 13 saves by sophomore goalkeeper, Maura Grady (Marblehead, Mass.) the Gulls lifted to a 9-7 victory. Endicott improves to 3-2 while the Beavers fall to 1-5.
The Gulls will see the field next on Saturday, March 21st as they begin conference play hosting Salve Regina for a 3:00 p.m. matchup. Babson will see action next on Tuesday, March 24th as they travel to non-conference opponent Wesleyan for a 5:00 p.m. matchup.
Behind the three goals from Clayman, senior Kirsten Thor (Longmeadow, Mass.) and sophomore Emily Cutting (Ferrisburgh, Vt.) each tallied two while sophomore combo Meghan Lennon (Canton, Mass.) and Emily Whitney (Rye, N.H.) followed with one. Taking her usual position as the leading playmaker, senior Siri Mason (Williamstown, Mass.) led with two assists.
After trailing 5-2 at the half, the Beavers picked up their second half game as freshman Julia Harrigan (Portsmouth, R.I.) and sophomore Christine Gill (Hingham, Mass.) led the team with two goals each. Defensively Babson played a strong second half to help them record 13 total caused turnovers to the Gulls four.
The first half was controlled by the Blue and Green highlighted by four consecutive, unanswered goals to take the 5-2 edge at the half. Babson got on the board first as junior Kayla Farina (Newton, Mass.) made a quick play to goal with senior Rachel Secrist (Westford, Mass.) in the opening minutes. The Gulls would quickly answer back as Whitney took a free position shot and recorded her lone goal of the day. The Beavers quickly bounced back as sophomore Francesca Giovanucci (Easton, Mass.) kicked the lead back up to one. However, Endicott went on a scoring spree as Cutting scored back to back goals with Lennon and Clayman closing out the half for the three goal edge.
The second half was a bigger battle as the Beavers outscored the Gulls 5-4, highlighted by a four goal run midway through the half. The Blue and Green opened up the half with three straight goals for the 8-2 lead. Clayman started the half off after blasting a shot from the top of the arc to find the back of the net for the 6-2 score. Thor followed suit as she went back to back at the 27 and 22 minute marks with the help of Mason and Lennon.
Trailing by five the Beavers had a bit of catching up to do and rose to the occasion as they tallied four straight goals to get within two of the Gulls with 10:06 remaining in regulation. Of the four goals, Gill tallied two, to make it a 8-6 score.
Working to hold possession the Blue and Green worked the ball around until the 4:16 mark when Clayman recorded her final goal of the day for the three goal advantage. Harrigan would tally one more in the final two minutes of play but it would not be enough as Endicott secured possession and claimed the victory.
Grady led with an impressive 13 saves on 20 shots while her counterpart, sophomore Stevie Burger (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) stopped five of 14.