Providence, R.I.--Rhode Island College senior goalkeeper Julia Eaton (Cumberland, RI) made a game-saving save in the final seconds, while sophomore attack Madison McKenna (Cumberland, RI) scored four goals, to lead the Rhode Island College women's lacrosse team to a thrilling, 10-9, victory over Eastern Connecticut in a Little East Conference contest played at Alumni Field on Tuesday evening.

THE BASICS
Rhode Island College 10, Eastern Connecticut 9
Rhode Island College (6-6, 2-3 LEC)
Eastern Connecticut (3-13, 2-4 LEC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
• Eaton and her family were honored prior to the start of the game as part of Senior Day.

• The win was the first-ever victory over the Warriors, who had won the previous 19 meetings with the Anchorwomen.

• RIC sophomore attack Giana Ritchie (Cumberland, RI) scored three goals and added an assist, while freshman midfielder Morgan Pero (White River Junction, VT) notched a pair of goals in the win.

• Senior attack Michelina Pinto (Groton, CT) tallied four goals for Eastern Connecticut, while junior midfielder Stacey Brodeur (East Lyme, CT) had one goal and two assists.

• Ritchie got RIC on the board with an unassisted goal just 4:49 into the contest.

• Eastern Connecticut responded with four straight, including two by Pinto, to take a 4-1 advantage with 16:38 left in the first half.

• The two teams then traded goals for the remainder of the half with ECSU taking the 6-3 advantage heading into halftime.

• Ritchie and McKenna each scored early in the second half as RIC cut its deficit down to one, 7-6, with just over 20 minutes left in the contest.

• The Anchorwomen tied the game, 8-8, on a man-advantage goal from McKenna with 16:35 remaining. RIC took its first lead since the opening minutes when a free position goal from Pero made the score, 9-8, with 15:54 remaining.

• The visiting Warriors knotted the game, 9-9, with 9:56 left on a free position shot from Pinto.

• Pero then provided the heroics for RIC as her free position goal with 8:47 proved to be the game-winner. 

• Eaton made several key stops down the stretch, including a point blank stop with 26 seconds left, to preserve the win for the Anchorwomen. She made 18 saves in the win (6-6). Eastern Connecticut senior goalkeeper Jessica Purick (Riverhead, NY) made 11 saves in the loss (1-13). 

• RIC held a 35-33 advantage in shots, a 24-23 advantage in ground balls and a 15-6 advantage in draw controls.

WHAT'S NEXT
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will continue Little East action at home vs. Castleton on Thursday, April 25 (6:30 p.m.).