Not only did the New Haven Chargers open their 2022 season with a four goal win over Jefferson, but freshman Reagan Bailey scored a game high of six goals in her first ever collegiate lacrosse game.
This is Charger's second ever win over Jefferson, who were crowned CACC champions just last season. Jefferson went from winning their conference last season to dropping their first three contests, New Haven being the third.
Bailey, the rookie attacker, scored her first collegiate goal in just five minutes of play. Not too long after, another one of her shots found the back of the net after a graceful pass from Mary Rishmany (Tiverton, R.I./Bishop Stang) with just 1:55 left in the first quarter.
To start the second quarter, the Bailey-Rishmany duo scored yet again to put New Haven up 3-2. The Chargers were left with three unanswered goals from Jefferson who now took the lead back into possession. The Blue and Gold mirrored Jefferson in scoring three back-to-back of their own. Lilly Kull, of Jefferson, had the last say before halftime leaving the score 6-5 with he Chargers up by one. At this point six of New Haven's nine shots on goal made it past Jefferson goalkeeper, Kelsey Kaplowitz, who only finished with five saves throughout the entire game.
On the other hand New Haven's keeper, Gabby Buscemi (East Patchogue, N.Y./Patchogue-Medford), had eight saves in front of the net. The sophomore averaged 8.125 saves per game last season as a freshman.
Bailey scored her fourth goal of the afternoon to open up play in the third quarter, with no assist. In her six goals throughout play, only one had the help of a teammate. Jefferson slipped two past Buscemi in a three minute window locking the score at seven.
Senior midfielder, Marina Skelly (Ronkonkoma, N.Y./Connetquot), shifted the lead back in favor of the Chargers moving into the fourth quarter.
Cypress Levitt (Calais, Vt./Montpelier), who is also on New Haven's soccer roster, and Skelly went back-to-back on goals giving New Haven a three point edge, 10-7. Ellie Lefton retaliated by scoring two goals for Jefferson bringing them within one of New Haven.
The Chargers, hungry to start their season off with a win, scored three times in a matter of minutes to solidify their first victory 13-9. Two of the three came from Bailey, who finished with six goals on just seven attempts on goal.
Next Up
The Chargers will take the road again next Saturday heading to Georgian Court in Lakewood, N.J. This will be the second of three straight on the road for New Haven before coming to Kathy Zolad for their home opener on Mar. 19. Square off for their next contender is at 11 a.m. on Mar. 12.
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