CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – MIT built a 10-goal lead in the first half and went on to defeat the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, 21-10, in a NEWMAC women's lacrosse game on Saturday at Jack Barry Field. Junior Ashley Thomas (Summit, N.J.) amassed 10 points on three goals and seven assists for the Engineers while senior Caitlyn Coates (Hanover, Pa.) powered the Bears with five goals and one assist.
 
THE BASICS:

• Score: MIT 21, Coast Guard 10
• Records: MIT (2-4 Overall, 1-0 NEWMAC); Coast Guard (2-4 Overall, 0-2 NEWMAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Junior Annica Lam (Livingston, N.J.) was a factor in MIT's first three goals as she scored twice and earned an assist on a strike by junior Gwen Flusche (Ridgewood, N.J.). Coates put Coast Guard on the board with a free-position goal at the eight-minute mark, however, Flusche quickly replied with a free-position goal of her own which resulted in the 100^th point of her career.
• Senior Kira Howard (Wilton, Conn.) narrowed the gap to 4-2, but back-to-back goals by senior Julianne Flusche (Ridgewood, N.J.) sparked an 11-2 run that was capped by Julianne Flusche's goal with 1:31 left in the second quarter. Howard provided the final goal of the frame right before time expired, making the score 15-5 at halftime.
• The Bears controlled the action in the third quarter as they outscored the Engineers, 4-1. Coates produced a free-position goal and a player-down goal while also earning an assist on a blast by junior Aislinn Murray (Annapolis, Md.). Junior Nina Petulla (Natick, Mass.) registered the lone goal for MIT, a free position shot at the 2:04 mark.
• Howard's free-position goal 1:33 into the fourth quarter brought Coast Guard within 16-10. The Engineers responded with five unanswered goals to wrap up the game.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Lam finished with four goals and two assists while Julianne Flusche totaled five goals, eight draw controls, and two caused turnovers.
• Gwen Flusche posted four goals, four draw controls, two groundballs, and two caused turnovers as senior Sydney Pyon (Garnet Valley, Pa.) notched two goals, one assist, three groundballs, and three caused turnovers.
• Sophomore Jillian Butler (Brecksville, Ohio) registered one goal, one assist, six draw controls, three groundballs, and two caused turnovers. In net, sophomore Pauline Vien (Brookline, Mass.) made three saves in the first half while classmate Ashton Flater (Ipswich, Mass.) turned away three shots in the second half.
• Gwen Flusche became the 27^th player in program history to reach 100 career points. In addition, Thomas's 10 points was one shy of tying the program record for points in a game.
• Howard had three goals and one assist while junior Abby McAllister (Pleasantville, N.Y.) earned two assists.
• First-year Rileigh Leary (Holden, Mass.) generated one assist, two groundballs, two caused turnovers, and two draw controls as first-year Ella Campbell (Foxborough, Mass.) contributed three draw controls, two groundballs, and one caused turnover.
• In net, senior Maici Mintchwarner (Cream Ridge, N.J.) collected 16 saves.

UP NEXT:

• Both teams will host NEWMAC opponents on Wednesday, March 26. MIT will play at Clark University at 5:00 PM while Coast Guard will take on Salve Regina University at 6:00 PM.

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