N. Andover, Mass. (March 25)-The Saint Anselm College women's lacrosse team fell to the Warriors of Merrimack College 16-9 in NE-10 action Wednesday night at Warrior Field. The loss drops the Hawks to 2-5 overall and 1-2 in NE-10 play, while Merrimack grabs their first win of the season to move to 1-2 overall and 1-1 in conference.

The Hawks jumped out to the early lead on a goal from Courtney Ford (Concord, Mass.) just 23 seconds into the game. After that the Warriors rattled off six straight goals to take a 6-1 lead. Hawk senior attack Michaela Rocha (Rye, N.H.) would net two goals in the first half to cut into the lead, but Merrimack would take an 11-3 lead into halftime.

Right out of the gate Rocha would score again and the Hawks would score four of the next five goals to cut the lead to 12-7. Merrimack would extend their lead to as many as eight, on a goal from Kelly Pasquantonio (Plainville, Mass.) just over half way into the second half to make it 16-8. Shawna Walsh (Woburn, Mass.), Rocha and Meghan Smith (Pittsford, Mass.) each scored to cut the lead to 16-11, but it would not be enough as the Warriors would take the NE-10 win.

Rocha's five goals and two assists led the Hawks, while Lauren Leddy (Sea Girt, N.J.) had four goals to lead the Warriors in the win.

Saint Anselm goaltender Katherine O'Hara (Norwell, Mass.) made 11 saves and allowed 16 goals in the loss and Warrior keeper Jamie-Lee Whiteway (Billerica, Mass.) made 13 saves allowing 11 goals in the win.

The Hawks return to action, Saturday, March 28th, as they will host the Chargers of the University of New Haven at 1 p.m.