SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts A second-half surge by the American International College women's lacrosse team gave it a 13-8 victory in Northeast-10 Conference action against Southern Connecticut State University on Wednesday, March 27.

FAST FACTS:
Final Score: AIC 13, Southern Connecticut 8
Records: The Yellow Jackets jump to 3-6 overall and 1-4 in NE10 play; the Owls fall to 2-8 in total and 1-5 in conference action.
Location: Ronald J. Abdow Field, Springfield, Massachusetts

STAT LEADERS:
AIC:
Mary Bates: Four goals
Mikayla Demanche: Three goals
Emilee Giacondino: Two goals
Devin Coulter: Two goals
Brittany Hutchison: One goal, one assist
Lauren Witherspoon: One assist, four draw controls, two caused turnovers
Brianna O'Brien: Four draw controls, three ground balls, three caused turnovers
Chelsea Davis: Win (3-6), 10 saves two ground balls

Southern Connecticut:
Stephanie Seymour: Three goals, one assist
Samantha Cozzolino: Three goals, one assist, four ground balls
Morgan Chase: One goal, one assist
Kelly Jagodzinski: One goal
Brianna Grande: Eight draw controls
Laura Morton: Loss (2-8), nine saves

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Owls jumped out to a 3-1 lead six minutes in, with three different goal scorers for the visitors and only a tally by senior attacker Mary Bates for the home side through the first 11 minutes of play.
• The Yellow Jackets hit the net a second time at the 11:03 mark despite being down a player, as sophomore attack Emilee Giacondino struck while the team was shorthanded.
• Though the Owls regained a two-goal lead just after the midpoint of the frame, they were blanked for the rest of the half; AIC was able to tie the game before the break thanks to goals by senior midfielder Mikayla Demanche and Bates, putting the score at 4-4 through 30 minutes.
• Out of the stoppage, the senior duo scored in reverse order, with Bates striking at 2:01 and Demanche at 4:15 to stake the Yellow Jackets to a 6-4 lead. Undeterred, the Owls flew in with three of their own, taking back the lead at the 7:25 mark with a 7-6 advantage.
• The Yellow Jackets needed a response, and they found it from redshirt senior attacker Brittany Hutchison, who drilled the tying goal at 9:22 to get her team back on track.
• The Owls had a golden opportunity to regain the lead just before the midpoint of the half, as a foul on junior goalkeeper Chelsea Davis left AIC without a goalkeeper for a free-position attempt. However, freshman defender Madi Bis came up with a block on Karlie Rowe's shot to keep the score even.
• The big defensive play turned into offense shortly after, with Bates striking at 17:04 to put the Yellow Jackets ahead, followed by a pair from sophomore midfielder Devin Coulter, a tally from Demanche, a goal from freshman attacker Sam Giordano, and Giacondino's second of the game in a span of 6:01 to put the game firmly in the home team's control. A late man-up goal by the Owls was the last hoot from the visiting side as the Yellow Jackets buzzed to a 13-8 victory.

PROUD MARY:

• The four goals for Bates puts the senior at 24 on the year, one shy of her total from last season, which is her current career high.
• She is also just five back of last year's high for the team, which was 29 by Demanche.

NEXT UP:

• The Yellow Jackets have a quick turnaround, as they host Pace University on Friday, March 29 at 3:30 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.