EASTON, Mass. (March 22, 2025) – Four hat tricks from juniors Natalie Coutu, Emily LaPia, sophomore Cameron Flaherty, and first-year Meaghan Fealy powered the Stonehill College women's lacrosse team to an 18-10 victory over Northeast Conference (NEC) foe Mercyhurst University on Saturday afternoon. With the win, the Skyhawks improved to 4-5 overall and 2-0 in conference play, while the Lakers fell to 1-5 overall and 1-1 in the NEC.
 
Highlights

• While Fealy registered her first career hat trick, Coutu, LaPia, and Flaherty each tallied five points on the day.
• The first-year trio of Caitlin Ruggeiro, Neave Bowman, and Jennaveve Koch added goals of their own for the Skyhawks.
• Ruggeiro netted her fourth, while Bowman and Koch each scored their respective third of the season.
• Juniors Julia Kogan and Abby Hanifin, as well as first-year student Val Beigel, posted assists for Stonehill.
• Sophomore goalkeeper Nina Tremonte secured her fourth win of the season after making nine saves on 19 shots faced on the afternoon.
• Juniors Emma Cimino and Whitley Easton each registered three-goal games for Mercyhurst.
• Senior Amanda Bailey added two goals, while senior Marlee Antinora and graduate student Meghan Nasman scored goals of their own for the Lakers.
• Junior AJ Jameson and first-year student Maggie Allen split time in goal for Mercyhurst and combined to make nine saves on the day.

How it Happened
After falling behind 2-1 early in the game, Stonehill quickly responded with five unanswered goals to close the opening quarter, taking a 6-2 lead into the second. Key contributors during this scoring run included two goals from Fealy, and one each from LaPia, Flaherty, and Coutu.
 
Despite trailing by four heading into the second quarter, Mercyhurst mounted a strong response, outscoring Stonehill 5-2 in the frame. Bailey scored two goals, including one while a player-up, while Cimino, Easton, and Nasman combined for three more goals to fuel the Lakers' offense. However, with the score tied at seven in the final minutes of the half, Hanifin connected with LaPia, who navigated through the Mercyhurst defense to score her second goal of the day, sending Stonehill into the break with an 8-7 advantage.
 
In the second half, Stonehill sought to regain control of the game. The Skyhawks quickly extended their lead with five goals in rapid succession to start the third quarter, taking a commanding six-goal lead with 3:56 remaining. Mercyhurst briefly cut into the deficit when Cimino completed her hat trick, scoring her 11th goal of the season with 1:46 left in the quarter.
 
Stonehill continued to apply relentless offensive pressure throughout the final period. Goals from Flaherty, Coutu, Bowman, and two more from LaPia allowed the Skyhawks to outscore the Lakers 5-2 in the fourth quarter, sealing an 18-10 victory on their home turf.
 
Up Next
Stonehill (4-5, 2-0 NEC) returns to action on Wednesday, traveling to New Britain, Connecticut for a midweek NEC matchup against Central Connecticut State. Opening draw control between the Skyhawks and Blue Devils is set for 3 PM.
 
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