Women's lacrosse celebrates senior day, No.15 MIT picks up 19-6 win

MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (Saturday, April 13, 2024)-- The visiting Massachusetts Institute of Technology Engineers jumped out to an early lead over Salve Regina women's lacrosse and kept the momentum going for a 19-6 achievement.

The Seahawks celebrated senior day by honoring Julia Govoni (Lakeville, Mass.) and Ellee Kopecky (Warren, R.I.), the women's lacrosse class of 2024. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: MIT 19, Salve Regina 6
Records: Salve Regina (8-6, 2-5 NEWMAC), MIT (12-2, 6-1 NEWMAC)
Last matchup: This is the first meeting of the Seahawks and the Engineers in women's lacrosse. MIT comes off a 16-4 season in 2023. The team made it to the NEWMAC championship but lost 13-10 to the Babson Beavers. After receiving an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament MIT lost 11-10 to Trinity College in the second round.

BREAKDOWN:

The Engineers spring out to a 6-2 lead in the first 15 minutes. Samantha Moleti and Holly Sullivan were both contributors in the first quarter. 

Six different Seahawks scored in the encounter. Cameron Baston got the second period going and following MIT's free position goal from Laura Day Stella McCormack shot off another Seahawk goal. The Engineers led 10-4 entering halftime. 

The three scoring actions of the third period came off the stick of Engineer sophomore attacker Ashley Thomas to make it a 13-4 game in favor of MIT. 

MIT's Ellie Rabenold netted four goals in the final quarter to put up a strong front and hold off the Seahawks despite Kayli Garcia and Daniella Bruno both securing goals. In a repeat of quarter one MIT outscored Salve Regina 6-2 in the final 15 minutes. MIT ended the day with a 13-goal lead in a 19-6 game. 

NOTEWORTHY:

• Ellee Kopecky made 12 saves.
• MIT's Molly Dulde and Pauline Vien collectively stopped eight Seahawk attempts. 
• Led by Cameron Baston, who had three, Salve Regina nabbed 15 ground balls. 

THOUGHTS FROM COACH MALLOY:

"I thought we played well and held our own against a nationally ranked team. We were able to defend the ball well and shoot well. We're looking forward to next week's games." - Head coach Meghan Malloy.

ON THE HORIZON: 

Women's lacrosse will next play on Gaudet Field on Wednesday, April 17 against Mount Holyoke College at 6 p.m.