Seahawks defeat Lions 19-8, secure spot in NEWMAC quarterfinals

BOSTON, Mass. (Wednesday, April 24, 2024)-- Salve Regina women's lacrosse exceled in their last game of the regular season, finishing 19-8 above the hosting Emerson College Lions. With this finish the Seahawks earn a seventh-place seed in the NEWMAC postseason. 

Junior Samantha Moleti scored six goals for the Seahawks, a new career record for her. Moleti's previous best was five goals against Wheaton College on April 10, when Salve Regina won 13-12 in overtime. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Salve Regina 19, Emerson 8
Records: Salve Regina (11-6, 5-5 NEWMAC), Emerson (5-10, 2-8 NEWMAC)
Last matchup: Since the 2008 spring season Salve Regina is 3-3 in wins and losses against Emerson. The last time the competitors met was on March 06, 2014, and it was an 11-4 loss for Salve Regina. 

BREAKDOWN:

Despite finishing the game with an 11-goal deficit the Lions were the first team to strike just 43 seconds into the encounter. Kayli Garcia, Samantha Moleti and Edie Threshie all scored in the first quarter, but every Seahawk success was counteracted by a Lion advance to make it 3-3 going into quarter two. 

The second period made all the difference for Salve Regina after the team was able to outscore Emerson in that timeframe. Beginning with Samantha Moleti's free position goal at 8:36 to go in the period the visiting Seahawks went on a six-goal run to put them ahead 10-5 with half two still left to play. 

Similar to the first period, the teams matched each other, both scoring three goals in the third quarter. However, even though Salve Regina already led 13-8 going into the final period the Seahawks cracked the game wide open by scoring six unanswered goals to make it a 19-8 final. 

NOTEWORTHY:

• Cameron Baston and Edie Threshie both achieved hat tricks. 
• At midfield, Holly Sullivan had an impressive night with five assists.
• Goalie Ellee Kopecky made 17 saves in 60 minutes. Kopecky also led the team in ground balls with three.
• Salve Regina outshot Emerson 42-33.  

ON THE HORIZON: 

On Saturday, April 27, the No.7 Seahawks will play the No.2 Springfield College Pride at Springfield's home field.