Gulls Fall to Nationally Ranked #6 Tufts in Season Opener

MEDFORD, Mass. – The Endicott women's lacrosse team traveled to #6 Tufts on Wednesday afternoon for their season opener. Despite the five straight goals from the Gulls to close out the first half, the Jumbos controlled the second to claim the 18-5 victory. Endicott falls to 0-1 as the nationally ranked Jumbos improves to 2-0.

Endicott will take the field next on Saturday, March 7^th as they host non-conference opponent Southern Maine for a noon start in their home opener. Tufts will square off next on Monday, March 9^th as they host Wheaton for a non-conference match at 3:00 p.m.

Offensively the Blue and Green were led by sophomore Emily Whitney (Rye, N.H.) and senior Ellie Clayman (Beverly, Mass.) who each tallied two goals in the game. Claiming the fifth Endicott goal was in the hands of sophomore Meghan Lennon (Canton, Mass.). For the Jumbos seven different members found the back of the net, led by sophomore Kate Mackin (Chagrin Falls, Ohio) who recorded an impressive six goals.

On the defensive end Tufts led with eight caused turnovers to Endicott's three while picking up 13 groundballs to the Gulls six. On the draw the strong national contenders controlled 18 while the Blue and Green managed seven, led by strong efforts from Lennon who recorded four draw controls. In her Endicott debut, sophomore goalkeeper Maura Grady (Marblehead, Mass.) was able to make nine stops on a strong Tufts squad who ripped 27 shots while her counterpart, freshman, Hannah Wiltshire (Wilton, Mass.) recorded five saves on 10 total shots.

The Jumbos started off the first half with seven straight goals led by four from Mackin. In the opening 11 minutes of play the sophomore was able to tally four straight goals. After trailing by seven, the Blue and Green picked up their game in the closing 11:30 of the first as they pushed for five straight goals while holding the Jumbos to zero in that final 11 minutes.

Clayman fired first back to back on a pair of free position shots to get the Blue and Green within five with 8:06 left in the half. Two minutes later Lennon claimed her first goal of the season as she made a move to goal and beat Wiltshire for the 7-3 score.

With just over four minutes remaining in the first half the 2014 season leader in goals, Whitney, took advantage of her two free position shot opportunities as she found the back of the net to get the Blue and Green back  within two at the end of the half. Grady wrapped up the half with four saves while Wiltshire stopped two on 10 Endicott shots.

Entering the second half the Jumbos were prepared to protect their home field and step up their game. Tufts rallied firing 18 shots in the half while finding the back of the net 11 times. The Jumbos held strong on the defensive end holding Endicott to just four shots and zero goals to secure the 18-5 victory.