CNE CHAMPIONSHIP: Endicott Outlasts Hartford To Claim Second Straight Conference Title

BEVERLY, Mass. – First-seeded Endicott defeated third-seeded Hartford, 25-19, to claim the first-ever Conference of New England (CNE) Women's Lacrosse Championship on Saturday evening at Hempstead Stadium.

Trailing 7-4 with 2:49 remaining in the first quarter, the Gulls produced a 7-0 run (11-7 advantage) midway through the second quarter (6:55) and never relinquished the lead the rest of the way.

Hartford eventually pulled the game back within three (18-15, 3rd, 1:35), despite trailing by as many as seven goals (17-10, 3rd, 9:05), but Endicott outscored the Hawks 7-4 in the fourth to secure its 14th conference title in program history (2006-14, 2017-19, 2024-25).

In a postgame ceremony, Gulls' junior attack/midfielder Leah Black (Cheshire, Conn.) was named the CNE Tournament Most Outstanding Player (MOP).

Black compiled seven points (3g, 4a) against Nichols in the semifinals and a career-high nine points (5g, 4a) when it mattered most in the championship.

Black and Grace McAfee (Marmora, N.J.) tied for the team-high in goals with five apiece.

Mia Samarjian (Stow, Mass.) and Abbie Belleville (Salem, Conn.) followed with four goals each, while Bailey Sheehan (Pomfret, Conn.) registered a hat trick.

Mia Smith (Portsmouth, N.H.) also buried two markers alongside solo tallies from Jaira Paine (Granby, Conn.) and Clare Wendell (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.).

Annabelle Gray (Londonderry, Vt.) and Paine both led the Gulls with eight draw controls apiece. Defensively, Endicott caused 10 turnovers with nine different Gulls recording one as Caroline Rocco (North Grafton, Mass.) finished with two to lead the way.

In goal, Payton Quirk (Nahant, Mass.) improved to 15-4 overall with two saves in 45 minutes of action.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Endicott is 3-0 all-time against Hartford (ended the Hawks' nine-game winning streak).
• The Gulls are 8-1 at home this season.
• Black tied her career-high for goals.
• McAfee set career-highs for goals (5) and points (7).
• Gray set a new career high for draw controls.

WHAT'S NEXT

Endicott (15-4) has earned the conference's automatic bid into the NCAA Division III Women's Lacrosse Tournament. The field will be announced on Monday, May 5 at 10:30 AM (EST).

Hartford sees its 2025 campaign come to a close at 13-6. 

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(Photo Credit - David Le '10)