CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - Five unanswered goals by MIT during the last nine minutes of the first half proved to be the difference as it held on for a 13-10 win over Bridgewater State College in a non-conference women's lacrosse game on Saturday.
Casey Flynn registered five goals for the Engineers (1-2), including three straight during the pivotal stretch. Shannon Manning led the Bears (0-1) with four goals and one assist in their season-opener.
Flynn put MIT on the board with a free-position shot after 2:02 elapsed which was followed by an unassisted goal from Samantha O'Keefe. Bridgewater State quickly evened the contest at two courtesy of free-position strikes from Manning and Courtney Lannon. The Engineers regained their two-goal advantage on blasts by O'Keefe 13 seconds apart as Erica Little picked up the assist on the second strike.
Midway through the half, the Bears knotted the contest again on back-to-back goals from Katie DeMaio. Each side exchanged goals before the Cardinal and Gray mounted the pivotal 5-0 run. Flynn notched the first three goals, with the last being setup by Kelly Duncan. Duncan completed the rally with a free-position shot and an unassisted goal to put MIT up 10-5 at the break.
Little's solo effort extended the Engineers' margin early in the second stanza, but Bridgewater State responded with three straight goals to cut its deficit in half (11-8). Manning notched an unassisted goal and then found Kristin White for her first tally of the year. Manning then capped the spurt on a free-position shot with 17:29 on the clock.
After being held scoreless for 14 minutes, the Flynn-Duncan connection returned which was followed by a free-position goal from Little at the 11:06 mark. The Bears continued to attack as Patricia Maloney and Lannon closed out the scoring.
Stephanie Brenman registered a game-high eight groundballs to go along with three draw controls, two caused turnovers, and a goal for the Engineers. In addition to her two goals and an assist, Little totaled three draw controls. O'Keefe recorded a hat-trick and two draw controls as Duncan finished with two goals and two assists. In net, Molly McCartin collected two saves.
Adding to her team-high scoring effort, Manning posted four draw controls and two caused turnovers. Erin Quimby amassed five groundballs, four draw controls, and four caused turnovers as DeMaio and Lannon each tallied two goals. In net, Katie Weber grabbed six saves.
MIT returns to action on Sunday, March 22 when it takes on Eastern Connecticut State University in West Palm Beach, Fla. Bridgewater State continues its road trip on Tuesday, March 17 at Wheaton College.