Manchester, N.H. (April 16) -- After taking a 7-3 lead in the first half, the Saint Anselm women's lacrosse team couldn't hold off a furious Saint Michael's charge as the Purple Knights came away with a 14-12 victory at Melucci Field on Wednesday afternoon.

Saint Anselm jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead behind goals from Arden Lyons (Westford, Mass.) and Courtney Ford (Concord, Mass.). The two teams traded goals over the next seven minutes as Brynne Curran (Cape Elizabeth, Maine) scored twice in that span and Amanda Soule (Hartland, Vt.) scored with 15:10 left to make it 5-3, still in favor of Saint Anselm. The Hawks got the lead back to as high as 7-3 before the Purple Knights scored four straight to end the first half and send the game into the break knotted at 7-7.

Keyed by three goals by Soule in the opening 10:51 of the second period, the Purple Knights blew the game open at 12-7. Saint Anselm answered with a goal by Michaela Rocha (Rye, N.H.) and eventually pulled back to within three at 13-10 following a goal from Tiea Kurlowecz (Concord, Mass.). Noelle Guarnieri (Pepperell, Mass.) put the visitors back up four at 14-10 before Ford scored twice in the final 5:11 for the Hawks to account for the 14-12 final.

Ford led the Hawks with five goals, while Curran and Soule each had five scores for the Purple Knights.

Katherine O'Hara (Norwell, Mass.) made 12 saves, while Courtney Wakem (Tiverton, R.I.) turned aside eight shots for the win.

Saint Anselm now sits at 4-8 overall and 3-5 in Northeast-10 play, while the Purple Knights improve to 6-4 overall and 4-3 in the league. Saint Anselm is back in action on Saturday afternoon as the Hawks travel to American International for a Noon start in Springfield.