Seven even scores and one hour of game-packed action later, the Chargers hold on to their ongoing win-streak against the crosstown rival, Southern Connecticut, and bring their 16th straight win against the Owls back home to Kathy Zolad Stadium. 

How it Happened 
Jess Dow Field was the stomping grounds of this seasons New Haven showdown, for the 15th consecutive season, the University of New Haven Chargers came out a winner. This matchup was marginalized by two goals. In the final 15 minutes alone, the Blue and Gold held onto their lead after Marina Skelly (Ronkonkoma, N.Y./Connetquot) scored to break the 7-7 tie and at one point the Chargers had a lead as large as four. 

Skelly put New Haven on the board just 45 seconds after the initial whistle. This was followed up with back-to-back goals from the Owls, separated by three minutes, to shift the lead in favor of the home team. Bailey slipped the ball past Sophie Kurtz defending the net for Southern Connecticut leveling the score at two a piece. Bayleigh Takacs, Southern's leading scorer this season, wasn't letting that slide giving the back to the Owls but at 3:27 before the quarter closed out, Bailey was fouled in front of the net and her free position attempt made it past Kurtz. 

In the second quarter, Gianna Caprioli (Clinton Corners, N.Y./Franklin Delano Roosevelt) assisted a goal scored by Skelly, which was followed up by a solo shot into the net by Annie Acquavita (Cheshire, Conn./Cheshire) to put the Chargers up by one at the half, 5-4.

Coming out of the break, the Owls offense went back-to-back on scoring followed by Acquavita's second goal of the night. She finished the evening scoring three of the Chargers 12 goals. 

Just as the third quarter buzzer sounded Skelly found way to the back of the net. After being down one, these two goals tied, then stole the lead away from the crosstown rival. 

Opening the final minutes of play, Southern ironed out the score 7-7 making this anyone's game. The Owls only have two wins against New Haven, but they weren't going to get a third. The Chargers went on a 4-0 run spanning seven minutes. Southern retaliated with three back-to-back, but Skelly's goal in the final minute sealed the deal on the Blue and Gold's 16th straight win against the Owls. 

Inside the Box Score 

• While Southern Connecticut had seven separate girls score goals to account for their total of ten, the Chargers had a trio that accounted for all of their 12 goals: Marina Skelly (Ronkonkoma, N.Y./Connetquot), Raegan Bailey (Cheshire, Conn./Cheshire), and Annie Acquavita (Cheshire, Conn./Cheshire). 
• New Haven's offense lit a flame in the fourth quarter where they shot five into the back of the net. Five goals in a single 15 minute period was the most between either team in a given quarter. Collectively the Blue and Gold had five shots on goal in the final quarter, all five of them added to their final score.
• Acquavita and Skelly both went 2-for-3 on free position attempts. All in all, the Chargers shot 5-for-9 when lining up on the 8-meter arc. 
• Skelly's stick was hot, she put five in between the posts and now stands at 107 in her career. 
• After having eight saves in front of the net in each of the Chargers last two games, Buscemi hit double digits for the eighth time this season declining 15 of the Owls 25 shots on goal. 
• Southern Connecticut won four more draws than New Haven. For the Chargers, Cypress Levitt (Calais, Vt./Montpelier) and Raegan Bailey (Cheshire, Conn./Cheshire) each won four. Gianna Caprioli (Clinton Corners, N.Y./Franklin Delano Roosevelt), who leads the team in the circle this season, won two draws. 

What's Next 
New Haven returns back home to Kathy Zolad Stadium on Saturday afternoon, following their two-game trip on the road. They will take on the Southern New Hampshire Penmen on April 16 with the first draw set for 1:00 p.m. 

Stay in the loop on Charger women's lacrosse by following @UNewHavenWLAX on Instagram and Twitter!