SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts Despite strong offensive performances from several seniors, the American International College women's lacrosse team came up on the wrong side of a 20-10 score against Franklin Pierce University in the Northeast-10 Conference opener for both teams on Saturday, February 23.

FAST FACTS:
Final Score: Franklin Pierce 20, AIC 10.
Records: AIC falls to 0-2 and 0-1 in the NE10, while Franklin Pierce improves to 2-0 and 1-0 in conference action.
Location: Ronald J. Abdow Field, Springfield, Massachusetts

STAT LEADERS:
AIC:
Mikayla Demanche: Four goals
Mary Bates: Three goals, two assists, three ground balls
Sam Giordano: One goal, one assist, two ground balls
Emilee Giacondino: One goal
Reagan Nichols: One goal, five ground balls
Madi Bis: Four ground balls
Chelsea Davis: Loss (0-2), 10 saves, three ground balls

Franklin Pierce:
Morgan Riley: Six goals
Savannah Ernst: Five goals, one assist, two ground balls, two caused turnovers, four draw controls
Caroline Lounsbury: Four goals, one assist
Bella Lima: Four goals
Jenna Cimbron: One goal, four assists, seven draw controls
Megan Bacik: Win (2-0), five saves on 10 shots in 30:00
Casey Butera: No decision (0-0), three saves on eight shots in 30:00

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Yellow Jackets got out to a hot start, as senior midfielder Mikayla Demanche scored just 22 seconds into the game, and freshman attacker Sam Giordano doubled the advantage at 2:32.
• The Ravens rebounded quickly, scoring twice in a 12-second span to tie the game, and ultimately took a 5-2 lead by the midpoint of the first half.
• Demanche roared into action offensively, scoring back-to-back goals at 15:06 and 15:59 to cut the deficit to 5-4.
• The Ravens were able to slow AIC down after that, and rebuilt their advantage, taking an 8-4 lead at 23:42; senior attacker Mary Bates scored to temporarily stop the bleeding, but Franklin Pierce netted the next four goals to take a 12-5 lead into the break.
• The Ravens continued their torrid pace in the second half; in spite of two more goals by Bates, they had a lead of 18-7 after a Jenna Cimbron goal at 14:49, and expanded the lead to as much as 20-7.
• AIC went on a late run, with Demanche and sophomore attackers Emilee Giacondino and Reagan Nichols each scoring before the end of the game, but it was too late as the Ravens earned a 20-10 victory.

NEXT UP:

• The Yellow Jackets continue conference play with a matchup at home against Bentley University on Wednesday, February 27 at 5 p.m.

STAY CONNECTED:

• For more updates about the AIC women's lacrosse team, follow@AICwlaxon Twitter and@AIC_womens_lacrosseonInstagram, and likeAIC Women's Lacrosse on Facebook. For updates on all AIC Yellow Jackets teams, follow@AICAthleticson TwitterandInstagram, and likeAIC Yellow JacketsonFacebook.