WEST HAVEN, Conn. (March 19, 2022) -- The Franklin Pierce University women's lacrosse team hung in it for the first half and then some on the road at No. 19 nationally ranked New Haven on Saturday afternoon, but the Chargers were eventually too much to handle. Six goals in the third, plus six more in the fourth, saw the hosts expand on a 4-3 halftime lead and eventually pull away for a 16-11 victory in Northeast-10 Conference play at Zolad Stadium. Senior Savannah Ernst (American Fork, Utah) led the Ravens with four goals in defeat, while New Haven junior Annie Acquavita paced all players with six points (5-1-6).

With the loss, Franklin Pierce falls to 0-4 (0-2 NE10), while New Haven improves to 4-0 (1-0 NE10).

New Haven led 4-3 at halftime, after a defensive struggle in the first half. The Chargers tried to pull away on the other side of the intermission, with three of the first four goals, including goals 39 seconds apart from Acquavita and freshman Raegan Bailey near the midpoint of the frame.

Franklin Pierce would bounce back with a pair of goals of their own, just 49 seconds apart, from senior Megyn Ayotte (Guilford, Vt.) and junior Katelyn Hadden (Newburyport, Mass.), to cut the gap back down to 7-6, with four minutes to play in the third. However, New Haven then found the dagger, with three goals in the final two minutes of the stanza, including two in the final 16 seconds, to take a 10-6 lead into the fourth. Bailey struck with 1:52 remaining, Acquavita found the net with 16 seconds to go, and junior Cameryn Antler put away a shot at the horn to cap the period.

The fourth quarter saw 11 goals, split nearly evenly at 6-5 in favor of New Haven, but Franklin Pierce would not get closer than three the rest of the way.

Ernst and her four goals led Franklin Pierce offensively, while Ayotte added three points (2-1-3) and Hadden contributed a pair of goals. Senior Madisyn Van Horn (Pulaski, N.Y.) led the defensive effort with four ground balls and five caused turnovers.

New Haven's Acquavita tallied a game-high six points (5-1-6) and got offensive support from senior Marina Skelly (4 goals), Antler (3) and Bailey (3). Sophomore Cypress Levitt matched Van Horn with five ground balls.

Junior Erin Blake (Southborough, Mass.) finished with eight saves against 24 shots on goal and suffered the loss (0-4) in the Franklin Pierce crease. Sophomore Gabby Buscemi (4-0) made 18 saves against 29 shots at the other end for New Haven.

The Ravens are right back at it against perennial national power Le Moyne at home on Tuesday. Game time is 11 a.m. at Sodexo Field.