BOSTON, Mass. (March 14, 2026) – Salve Regina University outscored Emerson College 5-1 in the second quarter to grab control on its way to a 16-6 victory in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) women's lacrosse opener for both at Lester Rotch Field this afternoon.
Sophomore Nora Cooney scored seven goals, while junior Alix Madden netted four and collected seven ground balls to lead Salve Regina to the win. Freshman Avery Nistl contributed three goals, four ground balls and two caused turnovers, while junior Daniella Brun dished out four assists and collected seven draw controls, three ground balls and a caused turnover for the Seahawks.
Sophomore Mary Flynn Kayajan registered 12 saves in the Salve Regina goal with a caused turnover and three ground balls. Senior Ellie Spotts finished with 15 saves in the Emerson goal with three ground balls.
Sophomore Laina Gustafson scored four of Emerson's six goals in the contest. Junior Ava DelliCompagni and sophomore Laura Lovell each recorded a goal and assist for the Lions, while DelliCompagni added five caused turnovers and three ground balls and Lovell registered two caused turnovers and five ground balls.
Nistl scored twice in the opening two and a half minutes for an early Salve Regina edge. Gustafson scored twice around a Madden marker to pull Emerson back within one (3-2) with eight minutes left in the first quarter, but Salve followed with five straight goals, including three by Cooney, to open a six-goal cushion (8-2) five minutes into the second quarter.
Lovell pulled a goal back for Emerson with 4:44 left before halftime, but Cooney scored two more during a 4-1 Seahawks run that pushed the lead to eight (12-4) midway through the third quarter. Gustafson sparked Emerson back within six (12-6) just seven seconds into the fourth quarter with back-to-back goals over a 48-second span around the third quarter break.
Salve closed the win out by scoring the final four goals of the match, including two-straight by Cooney to cap her seven-goal night and seal the win.
Up Next:
Emerson (4-3, 0-1 NEWMAC) returns to action on Wednesday when it hosts Oneonta University at Rotch Field at 6 p.m. Salve Regina (3-1, 1-0 NEWMAC) will face Worcester State University on Monday at 9:30 a.m.
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