Box Score

EVANSTON, Ill. – Keeper Becky Gardner recorded eight saves on Saturday afternoon, but top-ranked and defending national champion Connecticut put together five second-half goals en route to defeating Northeastern 6-0 at Lakeside Field.
 
Senior Kate Carlson led the way with three shots for the Huskies, including two on goal, while Kristin Abreu, Natalie Stewart, and Laura MacLachlan each recorded a shot on the day.
 
UConn opened scoring as rookie Amelia Lacobucci nailed a shot to the upper far post off an assist from Sophie Bowden to make it 1-0 at the 28:33 mark. The other Huskies' attack did not slow down, but Gardner recorded three saves in the remaining minute of the frame to stave off the attack.
 
Less than two minutes into the second half, UConn drew a penalty corner and Casey Umstead found the back of the net off a pass from Pippa Lewis to build a two-goal advantage. Minutes later, Connecticut was awarded another penalty corner and capitalized as Mckenzie Townsend notched her first goal of the season.
 
UConn added another three goals toward the end of the second frame as Charlotte Vietner notched back-to-back goals and Asia Crawford recorded her first goal of the year with under three minutes remaining in the game.
 
Northeastern returns to action at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday when it faces host team, and tenth ranked, Northwestern University at Lakeside Field to close out the season-opening weekend.