Jarvis and Ruby Lead Western New England Past Castleton, 14-8

Jarvis & Ruby record six points each

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The Western New England University women's lacrosse team picked up its first victory of the season with a 14-8 win over Castleton University on Wednesday evening at Golden Bear Stadium. 

Top Performers
The Golden Bears were powered by freshman attack Hannah Jarvis (Westfield, Mass.) and junior attack Eileen Ruby (New Fairfield, Conn.), who each finished with six points. Jarvis had four goals and two assists while Ruby had five goals and one helper. Senior attack Kristen Breen (Ellington, Conn.) pitched in four points (2 G, 2 A). The trio of junior attack Ariella Ruggiero (Valhalla, N.Y.), sophomore attack Reilly Miller (Goshen, N.Y.), and freshman midfielder Liz Mazza (East Longmeadow, Mass.) all found the back of the net.

Sophomore goalie Kaitlyn Marchant (Londonderry, N.H.) collected eight saves between the pipes.

For Castleton, junior midfielder Emma Best (Salisbury, Vt.) led the way with four points (3 G, 1 A). Senior defender Erin McKenna and junior attack/midfield Erin Shuttle both had a pair of goals. Senior midfielder Abbie Lesure (Vernon, Vt.) also scored one goal for the visitors.

Game Review
Western New England started the game strong thanks to the play of Jarvis, who assisted or scored on three of the first four goals. At 23:46, Miller forced a turnover and found Ruby on the break to push the early lead to 4-0.

At 21:06, Castleton would get on the board after Best found a cutting McKenna in front of the crease. After a free position goal from Jarvis, the Spartans ripped off back-to-back goals to cut the Golden Bear lead to 5-3. With just over two minutes remaining, Mazza lofted a shot past the goalie to make the lead 6-3 heading into halftime. 

To open up the second half, Castleton came out with a sense of urgency. Lesure capitalized off a Golden Bear turnover and slice through the defense for an unassisted goal. Two minutes later, Shuttle connected with Best from around the crease to bring the Spartans within one of Western New England at 6-5. From there, the Golden Bears would score four straight goals to push the lead to 10-5, highlighted by junior midfielder Kaitlyn Hutter (Stamford, Conn.) finding a cutting Ruby in front of the net. With over 12 minutes remaining, Shuttle would convert on a free position shot.

The Golden Bears responded yet again with a pair of Ruby goals, one being facilitated by Jarvis which pushed the lead to 12-6. Late goals from Ruggiero and Miller elevated the Golden Bear lead to 14-7. A last second goal from the Spartans would close the game at 14-8.

Notes
• Western New England outshot Castleton, 37-23.
• Western New England won the draw battle, 15-9.
• Jarvis' six-point performance was a season-high.

Up Next
Western New England (1-3) will travel to Elms College Saturday, March 16 at 1pm before heading to Florida for a slate of games during Spring Break. Castleton University (1-1) will host Union Friday, March 15 at 4pm.