PANAMA CITY, Fla. (March 18, 2024) – The Western New England women's lacrosse team dropped their spring break opener at the SpringFling event on Monday afternoon, falling 15-10 to the Rams of Framingham State University.

Records:

• Western New England: 0–5
• Framingham State University: 3-2

How it Happened:

Good defense from both teams would start off the game, though the Golden Bears would be the first to break open the game when Emmy Burns recorded her first goal of the game on a free-position shot while a player up, which gave the Golden Bears a 1-0 lead. Framingham State would respond just 52 seconds later with a goal of their own also a free position tally, which evened the score at one. The Rams, in fact, would score the next two goals following their tying goal of the game, which gave Framingham a 3-1 lead over WNE. With just four seconds remaining in the quarter, Western New England's Mia Celentano would score her first goal of the afternoon, bringing WNE back within one and ending the quarter at 3-2. Both teams took five shots in the opening quarter, while Western New England scooped nine ground balls.

The Golden Bears would take the late goal in the first quarter and rode the momentum into the second quarter as Mia Celentano would score the first two goals of the second frame, one coming on a way of a free position goal, seeing the Golden Bears retake the lead, 4-3. From there, the Rams would pounce on the ball, coming away with five straight goals as the Western New England defense would be stuffed by Framingham's Hannah Guerin, who came away with five goals in the opening half out of the eight Framingham State recorded. The Golden Bears would not lose sight of their end goal, coming away with two goals in 26 seconds to end the first half when Celentano and Allie Cyr notched goals, seeing Western New England trail 8-6 at the half. Faith Graveline made five saves for Western New England in the opening 30 minutes.

The Rams had the opening goal of the third quarter with 8:10 to play in it, though Ally Ferraro would fight the Golden Bears back quickly with her first strike of the game, seeing Western New England get right back into the game. The Rams would have a response to Western New England's goals nearly every time, seeing Framingham State come away with the final two goals of the quarter to take an 11-7 lead at the end of the third.

Western New England would see Framingham State record the first goal in the fourth quarter, though Ferraro would be back on the board for WNE's eighth goal of the afternoon, seeing WNE trail 12-8. Again, Framingham State had an answer to WNE's goal, this time coming away with three straight to take their largest lead of the game at seven, leading 15-8. Two late goals from Emmy Burns and Julia Roman would not be enough for Western New England, as the Golden Bears would fall 15-10 in their opening spring break contest.

Inside the Lines:

• The Golden Bears were outshot 32-20 in the game and 28-16 shots on goal.
• The blue and gold recorded 24 turnovers, including 13 in the second half.
• Mia Celentano and Emmy Burns both recorded four points on the afternoon to lead Western New England in scoring.
• Between the pipes, Faith Graveline made 13 saves, though allowed 15 goals.
• Framingham State won 20 of 27 draw controls and was led by Hannah Guerin, who scored five times and picked up three assists, coming away with eight total points.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• The Golden Bears will play again on Thursday, March 21 at 2:00 PM EST. to take on Hartwick College for their final game of the spring break schedule.