WEST HAVEN, Conn. — New Haven Lacrosse (1-0, 0-0) claimed a 10-7 victory over Sacred Heart University on Wednesday afternoon at home. The Chargers' defense played a crucial role, forcing 16 turnovers and holding Sacred Heart to three goals over the final three quarters.

New Haven initiated the scoring with a goal from Sophia Minnion (Wading River, N.Y./Shoreham-Wading River), assisted by Summer Castiglione (Brick, N.J./Brick Memorial), at 13:34 in the first quarter. Sacred Heart equalized through Erin Herrold at 10:02. The Blue & Gold regained their lead when Sophia Devaney (Jackson, N.J./Jackson Memorial) scored at 9:18, assisted by Caitlin Seleny (Derry, N.H./Pinkerton). Jamie Tanner responded for Sacred Heart with two goals, putting her team ahead. New Haven's Taryn Murphy (Bohemia, N.Y./Connetquot) tied the game at 3-3 with a man-up goal at 4:53, assisted by Seleny. Herrold's second goal at 1:15 gave Sacred Heart a 4-3 lead at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, New Haven took control with a goal from Summer Castiglione (Brick, N.J./Brick Memorial) at 14:09. Despite multiple attempts by Sacred Heart, including a shot by Bella Calvanese saved by Ainsley Bourbeau (Willington, Conn./E.O. Smith), they could not score. Minnion added another goal for New Haven at 5:29, prompting a Sacred Heart timeout. Helena Dunwoody (East Greenwich, R.I./East Greenwich) capitalized on a man-up situation with a free position goal at 23 seconds left in the quarter. Bourbeau's save on Herrold's last-second shot preserved the Chargers' 6-4 lead at halftime.

The third quarter saw New Haven extend their lead with strong defense and effective offense. Minnion scored at 7:20, assisted by Castiglione, and Castiglione added a man-up goal from a free position at 4:11. Bourbeau's key saves, including one from Bella Acevedo-Feldman at the 30-second mark, kept Sacred Heart scoreless in the quarter. New Haven led 8-4 going into the final quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Castiglione scored from a free position shot at 10:26, further extending the Chargers' lead. Sacred Heart's Maggie Araneo, assisted by Tanner, narrowed the gap. Seleny scored for New Haven at 7:34, prompting a Sacred Heart timeout. Tanner's man-up goal from a free position at 5:07, followed by Sadie Stevens' goal assisted by Araneo at 1:52, brought Sacred Heart closer, but New Haven held on to secure the win.

Top Performers for New Haven included Summer Castiglione (Brick, N.J./Brick Memorial) with 3 goals and 2 assists, including the game-winning goal, and Sophia Minnion (Wading River, N.Y./Shoreham-Wading River) with 3 goals on 6 shots. Caitlin Seleny (Derry, N.H./Pinkerton) contributed 1 goal and 2 assists, while Sophia Devaney (Jackson, N.J./Jackson Memorial) added 1 goal.

Up Next, the Chargers will travel to Spartanburg, S.C., to face Wofford College on Friday, Feb. 27. The game is scheduled for 4 p.m.