Gulls fall to Babson in season debut

Boxscore

BABSON PARK, Mass. - Babson College scored twice in the second half to extend a 3-2 halftime lead and defeat visiting Endicott College 5-2 in the season opener for both teams. Despite opening the scoring, the Gulls were held in check for the final 41 minutes in the loss. 

Endicott’s \#Anna Giannoni\# (Granby, Conn.) opened the scoring less than three minutes into the contest, with \#Hannah Thornberg\# (Oakland, Maine) picking up the assist.

The Beavers were quick to counter, knotting the game at 1-1 less than two minutes later. Courtney Weaving (New Preston, Conn.) found Sarah Fredlund (New Preston, Conn.) for the goal, pushing Fredlund over the century mark for career points. 

The Gulls had the opportunity to take the lead nearly ten minutes into the opening half after earning three consecutive penalty corners. Babson’s Jess Pashos (Winchester, Mass.) turned back two of those chances before \#Joanne Reid\# (Clarksville, Md.) fired a shot wide. 

Midway through the first half Fredlund struck again, this time thanks to a Colleen Kelly (Milton, Mass.) assist.
 

Endicott responded by turning up the pressure on the Babson defense over a five minute span, forcing Pashos to make a pair of saves. Just past the 25-minute mark, the Gulls were rewarded for their efforts.  \#Alexandra Parese\#’s (Wilton, Conn.) shot found the back of the net, assisted by Reid. 

Again, Babson countered quickly, scoring the eventual game winner less than three minutes later. Courtney Weaving (New Preston, Conn.) found teammate Morgan Lockwood (Feeding Hills, Mass.) to put Babson on top for good.

The Blue and Green searched for the equalizer in the closing moments of the first half, only to be denied by Pashos again. \#Nell O’Connor\#’s (Harwich, Mass.) shot at the end of the half sailed wide. 

The second half opened with continued back-and-forth play before Alex Cabreros (San Diego, Calif.) found Weaving for a goal, increasing the host’s lead to 4-2. The Gulls best opportunity to close the gap came midway through the second half. Joanne Reid had three shots turned away by Pashos in a three-minute span, spoiling Endicott’s hopes of a comeback in the process. 

Colleen Kelly added a late goal for Babson, who walked away with a 5-2 win. \#Taylor Teixeira\# (Exeter, N.H.) made five saves in the loss while Pashos recorded 11 saves to earn the win.   

Endicott resumes play with another road game this Saturday, September 4, as the Gulls travel to New Hampshire to face Plymouth State University at 1 p.m. The Beavers return to action on Tuesday, September 7, when they host Eastern Connecticut State University at 6 p.m.