Fitchburg State Slips Past Women's Lacrosse in Season Opener, 9–8
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Fitchburg St. (2-0) | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 9 |
|
Saint Joseph (Conn.) (0-1) | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 8 |
WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) women's lacrosse team opened its 2026 season with a fast start but ultimately fell short in a 9–8 nonconference loss to Fitchburg State University on Saturday afternoon at the USJ Lacrosse Field. The Blue Jays dropped to 0–1, while the Falcons improved to 2–0.
USJ struck quickly, building a 5–1 lead in the first quarter. Junior attack Anna LeGault (Colchester, Conn.) opened the scoring at 13:49 off a feed from junior attack Brianna Cannon (Hazlet, N.J.), followed less than a minute later by a goal from senior midfielder Alana Picard (Windsor Locks, Conn.). After a Fitchburg State tally, LeGault scored again at 6:52, Picard added her second at 6:02, and freshman attack Kailey Krusewski (Newington, Conn.) extended the lead to 5–1 at 3:15.
Fitchburg State answered with four straight in the second quarter to tie the game, but USJ regained the lead when LeGault completed her hat trick on a player‑up goal at 1:41, set up by Cannon. The Blue Jays led 6–5 at halftime.
USJ pushed back early in the third when LeGault netted her fourth of the day at 10:26, assisted by junior midfielder Reagan Buscetto (Montville, Conn.). Fitchburg State responded with three goals to move ahead 8–7, but Krusewski delivered a key equalizer with eight seconds left in the period. The game entered the fourth tied 8–8.
The Falcons scored the eventual game‑winner at 4:29 in the fourth. Despite final offensive pushes—including possessions involving Picard, Krusewski, and junior midfielder Kaylynn Lapointe (Bristol, Conn.)—the Blue Jays could not pull even.
LeGault finished with four goals and one assist, Picard added two goals and three assists, and Krusewski scored twice. Cannon registered three assists. In goal, senior goalkeeper Colleen Stringer (Point Lookout, N.Y.) totaled eight saves in 60 minutes.
USJ outshot FSU 24–20, though the Falcons held a 17–13 edge in shots on goal. FSU won the ground ball battle, 29–20, and held a slight edge in draw controls, 11–9.