WEST HAVEN, Conn. – The New Haven offense came out of the gates to outscore the Southern Connecticut Owls 9-1 in the first quarter and never looked back as Chargers took a 19-12 decision over their crosstown rival on Thursday night under the lights at Kathy Zolad Stadium. With the win, New Haven improves to 7-5 on the season and 4-3 in the Northeast-10 Conference.
Among the highlights on the night was sophomore Raegan Bailey (Cheshire, Conn./Cheshire) who with her fifth goal of the night became the 19th player in program history to rack up at least 100 career goals, doing so in just 30 total games. Bailey is just the fourth player to hit the centennial mark in just two seasons on the field and just the third in program history to do so during their sophomore year, joining all-time leader Brigid Brady and current assistant coach Ashley (Ferrandiz) Wolcott.
Bailey's five goals led the Chargers offense on the night and was tied for the most by any player in the game. She also added an assist for six points. Joining her with a hat trick or better was a pair of players, graduate transfer Savannah Ernst (American Fork, Utah/American Fork) and sophomore Gianna Caprioli (Clinton Corners, N.Y./Franklin Delano Roosevelt). Leading that duo was Ernst who finished with four goals and three for a game-best seven points. Caprioli finished with three goals and two assists for five points.
Three other players all finished with multiple goals on the night, including senior Annie Acquavita (Cheshire, Conn./Cheshire) who finished with two goals, both of which came in the opening quarter as the Chargers opened up the game with the first six goals of the night. She also added two assists for four points.
The remaining two players with a pair of scores on the night was senior Camryn Antler and freshman Marielle Colalillo (Manhasset, N.Y./Manhasset), while rookie Caitlin Seleny (Derry, N.H./Pinkerton) rounded out the leading scorers. Colalillo also added an assist to finish the night with three points.
New Haven finished the night with 29 total shots, marking 24 of those on goals with the Owls keeper Caelan Connors finishing with five saves. The Chargers junior goalkeeper Gabby Bucsemi finished the night with 14 saves, her fourth-straight game in double figures while also matching her season best.
The Chargers will play their next three games on the road, the first of which is the first of two trips to Manchester, N.H. with the initial one taking the Blue and Gold to Mark A. Ouellette Stadium to meet the No. 24 Southern New Hampshire Penmen on Sunday, April 16. Opening draw in the NE10 battle is set for 1:00 p.m.
