SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (April 22, 2026) – The Western New England women's lacrosse team was overpowered by the visiting Gulls of Endicott College on Wednesday evening from Golden Bear Stadium, as the Gulls completed a perfect CNE season, scoring 14 times in the opening half to take down WNE by a final score of 19-4.
Records:
- Western New England: 9-8, 5-5 CNE
- Endicott College: 13-4, 10-0 CNE
How it Happened:
First Quarter:
- Endicott poured it on the Golden Bears in the opening quarter, outscoring the Blue and Gold 8-1 in the first 15 minutes of play. The Gulls started the scoring just 2:18 into the quarter when Emerson Clark netted her 41st of the season. The Gulls had three goals in the opening five minutes as Mia Smith and Leah Black scored for Endicott to add to their lead.
- Endicott's lead was as high as six before the Golden Bears were able to score their first of the game when Carlie Francis registered her 27th goal of the season on a free position shot to put WNE on the board.
- The Gulls added two more before the end of the quarter to take a commanding 8-1 lead. Emerson Clark had four goals and three assists for Endicott in the opening frame to lead all scorers. Emily Picolla made just one save for the Golden Bears between the pipes. WNE was 2/9 on clearing attempts as the pesky Endicott defense caused six turnovers in the quarter.
Second Quarter:
- The Gulls continued to score in the second quarter, grabbing three more goals in the opening five minutes, getting tallies from Sophia Notine, Kendal Kelsey, and Abbie Belleville, extending Endicott's lead to a running clock, leading 11-1.
- The Golden Bears didn't have an answer in the quarter, being shut out in the quarter while Endicott put six goals in the back of the net, leading 14-1 at the half.
- WNE had just one shot in the quarter, off target. Emily Picolla picked up four saves in the quarter before being relieved in goal by Lorelai England.
Third Quarter:
- The Golden Bears continued to struggle on offense, while the Gulls soared past WNE in the third quarter, putting up three goals in the frame to take a 17-1 lead.
- Western New England had just two shots on goal in the quarter, both saved by Emma Budke.
Fourth Quarter:
- Lina Eves stopped the goalless drought for the Golden Bears just 16 seconds in the fourth quarter, burying her 41stgoal of the season. The Golden Bears weren't able to put a string of goals together as Clare Wendell scored with 10:27 left to answer for the Gulls.
- Western New England's final two goals of the game came with under three minutes to play in the game when Carlie Francis netted her second of the contest and 27th of the season on an assist from Alyssa Pereira. Pereira then found the back of the net for the final goal of the game, scoring three overall in the quarter, falling 19-4.
Inside the Lines:
- Carlie Francis led the WNE offense with two goals in the game, taking three shots, putting two on goal.
- Lina Eves and Alyssa Pereira had a goal and an assist each for the Blue and Gold in the loss.
- Endicott was led by Emerson Clark, who scored five times and added three assists.
- 14 different Gulls had a point in the win.
- Western New England concludes the 2026 campaign with a 9-8 record, going 5-5 in conference action.
