Soucia Reaches 100-Goal Milestone As Blazers Remain Unbeaten In NECC Play

NEW LONDON, Conn. – Elms College remained unbeaten in New England Collegiate Conference women's lacrosse play with an 18-8 victory at Mitchell College on Saturday afternoon at Alumni Field. 

Alecia Keesee (Westfield, Mass./Westfield) led all scorers with six goals while Vanessa Vurno (Salem, Conn./East Lyme) added five goals and an assist to lead the Blazers (4-8 overall, 3-0 NECC). Jackie Soucia (Belchertown, Mass./Belchertown) also had a big day with four goals, including the 100^th of her collegiate career. 

Kate McCormack (South Kingstown, R.I./The Prout School) scored four goals to pace the Mariners (2-6 overall, 1-2 NECC). Rachel Barda (Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South) finished with a pair of scores while Lindsey Fairbank (Newington, Conn./Newington) and Hannah Corrigan (Fairfax, Vt./BFA Fairfax) each contributed a goal and an assist. 

Elms never trailed after jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the opening 6:37. Keesee netted five goals in the first half, including one in the closing seconds that gave Elms a 10-5 lead at the break. 

The Blazers scored the first three goals of the second half—including two by Vurno—to extend the lead to 13-5. At that point, the only drama that remained was whether Soucia would reach her milestone. After tallying three goals in the first half, she needed just one in the second to eclipse the mark. The goal came on an unassisted effort with 14:49 remaining. 

Elms goalie Emily Huber (Jefferson, Maine/Lincoln Academy) made four saves against 20 total shots to earn the win. Mitchell's Gillian MacLellan (Hebron, Maine/Landmark School) made 16 stops against 42 shot between the pipes. 

Elms returns to action at Southern Vermont College on Wednesday, April 18 at 4 p.m. Mitchell will next host the University of Saint Joseph on Monday, April 16 at 5 p.m.