Leach totaled two goals and two assists, scoring the first goal in the Skyhawks Division I history (PHOTO BY Brian Foley)

Leach leads Skyhawks in Division I debut with four points, scoring first goal in program's DI history

BOSTON, Mass. (February 15, 2023) – Boston University raced out to a nine-goal lead early in the second quarter and rode it to a 20-9 victory over Stonehill College, which was making its debut at the NCAA Division I level, in a non-conference women's lacrosse matchup at Nickerson Field this afternoon.

How it Happened

• Boston University struck just 31-seconds into the game with senior Jennifer Barry scoring her first of two goals, before sophomore Libby Carbo doubled the Terriers lead a minute later.
• After senior Lauren Kaye extended BU's lead to three goals, Stonehill junior Lilly Leach made program history by scoring the Skyhawks first Division I goal 5:23 into the contest off a draw control following a timeout.
• BU scored the next seven goals, including two each by sophomore Matty Spaeth and freshman Jayne Feeney to build a nine-goal lead (10-1) 5:36 into the second quarter.
• Stonehill settled in and scored the next four goals, including a pair from senior Kayla Conway, while Leach added a goal and assist, to pull the Skyhawks back into the game (10-5) with 3:7 remaining in the half.
• BU answered with four-straight of its own to close out the first half scoring and then open the second half with Spaeth's third of the game just 22-seconds in.
• Junior Abby Ahearn scored her first as Stonehill avoided going ten goals down for a second time.
• Gola and postgrad Maddie MacMaster pushed the BU lead into double-digits (16-6) midway through the third quarter.
• Stonehill made another push, scoring three of the next four goals, including postgrad and All-American Emma Sullivan's second of the game and the first collegiate goal from freshman Grace Murphy that pulled the Skyhawks back within eight (17-9) with 12:26 remaining.
• BU closed the game out from there, scoring the last three goals, including two by Gola, while Carbo dished two assists.

Murphy scored the first goal of her collegiate career in her collegiate debut for the Skyhawks (PHOTO BY Brian Foley)

Noteworthy

• After building a 10-1 lead over the game's first 20-minutes, Boston University outscored Stonehill by just two goals (10-8) over the last 40-minutes.
• The Terriers outshot Stonehill 20-9 in the first half, but just 12-10 in the second.
• Sophomore Sarah Faley finished with eight saves, including four in the second quarter.
• Junior Reilly Agres finished with six saves in the BU goal.
• This afternoon marked the first meeting all-time between the two programs.
• Stonehill opens its inaugural NCAA Division I season as members of the Northeast Conference. The Skyhawks have been picked sixth in the NEC preseason coaches' poll.

Up Next

Stonehill (0-1, 0-0 NEC) returns to action next Wednesday, February 22, when it hosts UMass Lowell for a non-conference matchup at W.B. Mason Stadium at 7 p.m., to kick off the spring Division I season at the College. The College will be offering giveaways for students and fans in attendance for the Skyhawks Division I home debut. BU (2-0, 0-0 Patriot) visits Iona University on Saturday at 2 p.m.

For the latest on Stonehill Athletics, follow the Skyhawks via social media on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Fans can also download the Stonehill Skyhawks "Front Row" mobile app, powered by PrestoSports, on iTunes and the Android Market.