NEW HAVEN, Conn. - The Albertus Magnus College women's lacrosse team earned its first win of the 2023 season with an impressive 18-8 home victory over the Mariners of Mitchell College in non-conference play on Monday afternoon at Celentano Field.

Albertus was led offensively by five different players, including a team-high five goals from Amanda McGeehan (Milford, Conn.), four goals from Kaitlin D'Agostino (Hamden, Conn.), Alexandra Barrett (Northford, Conn.), and Keegan Riccio (West Haven, Conn.), and one goal from Isabella Antonucci (Orange, Conn.).

Along with her five goals, McGeehan tallied one assist, while D'Agostino finished with a team-high three assists. Mariah Mandulak (Shelton, Conn.) was also an offensive threat for the Falcons, recording a pair of assists in the victory.

Senior Kelly Musante (Wallingford, Conn.) collected her first win between the pipes for the Falcons. She also recorded seven saves over 60 minutes of play. 

THE BASICS
FINAL: Albertus Magnus 18 | Mitchell 8
RECORDS: Albertus Magnus (1-13) | Mitchell (3-7)
BOX SCORE

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• The Falcons kicked off the game with a goal scored at the 7:01 mark when McGeehan capitalized on a free position shot following a foul by the Mariners.
• Mitchell retaliated shortly after with a free position goal to tie the score at 1-all. Still, the Falcons re-took the lead as Riccio tallied an unassisted goal to conclude the first period, 2-1.
• The Mariners leaped into action, winning the second quarter's first draw and scoring 45 seconds into the stanza to even the game for a second time, 2-2.
• At the 13:20 mark, the Falcons held the one-goal advantage when Mandulak found an open Barrett for her first of the game.
• Albertus then fed off Barrett's goal as Riccio converted on two free position shots, while D'Agostino netted her first of the game, giving the hosts a four-goal cushion, 6-2. 
• The Mariners crept back into the game, scoring their third goal to spoil the Falcons' run, but the Albertus offense continued to shoot as McGeehan scored her second of the game at the 6:14 mark, making the score 7-3.
• Mitchell scored another at the 5:07 mark before the Falcons found the back of the net on a free position goal by Barrett, closing out the half with an 8-4 scoreline.
• The Mariners rocketed out of the break, winning the first draw, similarly to the second quarter, and scoring at the 14:04 mark.
• Seven minutes later, Barrett put one between the pipes on a man-up opportunity following a Mariners' yellow card to put the Falcons up 9-5.
• Shortly after, McGeehan collected her third goal of the game before the Mariners struck back with a goal from their top attacker, Daniella Holland.
• The Falcons closed out the third quarter as D'Agostino notched her second goal to put the hosts ahead 11-6 at the end of three.
• The Albertus offense scored a trio of goals from McGeehan, D'Agostino, and Antonucci to kick off the fourth quarter before Mitchell was able to convert a free position shot, 14-7.
• Riccio was able to score at 7:07 when D'Agostino wove a ball through defenders. Just 38 seconds later, D'Agostino took advantage of a man-up opportunity to score her third goal of the game.
• Mitchell attempted to limit the deficit as Holland scored her fifth goal at the 4:50 mark, but Albertus sealed the deal with back-to-back goals from Barrett and McGeehan in the final 1:10 of the game for a Falcon victory, 18-8.

BETWEEN THE PIPES
Albertus: Kelly Musante (W, 1-13) - 8 Goals-Against | 7 Saves | 15 Shots
Mitchell: Hannah Gomes (L, 3-7) - 18 Goals-Against | 13 Saves | 31 Shots

TOP PERFORMERS

Albertus:
Amanda McGeehan - 5 Goals | 1 Assist | 10 Shots | 5 Ground Balls | 3 Caused Turnover
Kaitlin D'Agostino - 4 Goals | 3 Assists | 5 Shots | 11 Draw Controls | 1 Caused Turnover
Alexandra Barrett - 4 Goals | 8 Shots | 3 Ground Balls 
Keegan Riccio - 4 Goals | 7 Shots | 2 Ground Balls | 3 Draw Controls

Mitchell:
Daniella Holland - 5 Goals | 14 Shots | 1 Ground Ball
Jessica Krupnikoff - 2 Goals | 4 Shots | 4 Draw Controls | 4 Ground Balls
Rachel Ricciuti - 1 Goal | 4 Shots | 1 Ground Ball

NOTEWORTHY

• Today's game marked the sixth all-time meeting between the Falcons and Mariners.
• After today, Albertus now holds a 4-2 advantage in the all-time series. 
• The team set season-highs in goals (18), assists (6), points (24), clears (19), and shots (31).
• The Falcons tied their season-high in draw controls with 19. 
• McGeehan recorded a career-high five goals while also leading the defensive attack with three caused turnovers. 
• D'Agostino scored a season-high in goals (4), assists (3), points (7), and draw controls (11). 
• Antonucci netted her first collegiate goal and set a season-high in draw controls with four. 

UP NEXT
The Falcons return to the field on Wednesday, April 19th, for a home GNAC contest against the AMCATS of Anna Maria College. Game time is set for 7 p.m.