FARMINGTON, Maine - The University of Maine at Farmington women's lacrosse team dropped a hard fought North Atlantic Conference (NAC) battle at home to SUNY Poly on Saturday afternoon, 15-12.

The Beavers had their offense rolling early as Ruby McMinis (Wells, Maine) scored a pair of goals in the first nine minutes of the game to help the Beavers open up a quick 2-0 lead. 

But the Wildcats responded with three straight goals over a 1:52 span late in the 1st quarter to grab their 1st lead of the game. Patricia Vanlue, Kaitlin Kopcza, and Molly Burdick tallied the three goals for SUNY Poly.

Backman quickly re-tied the game with a goal in just 43 seconds into the 2nd quarter. But five unanswered goals from the Wildcats allowed SUNY Poly to take an 8-3 lead into halftime.

But the Beavers continued to battle back in the 2nd half. The Beavers opened up the 3rd quarter with four straight goals, a pair from Backman, one from Lydia Eastman (Chelsea, Vermont), and another from McMinis, brought the Beavers within a goal. 

Kaitlin Kopcza converted a free position shot to help the Wildcats regain a two goal lead.

But the Beavers were not done yet. McMinis once again found the back on the net with a nasty no-look shot with the Beavers down a man to make it 9-8.

SUNY Poly closed the quarter strong as Burdick and Ryle Fishcer each knotted goals to help the Wildcats regain a three goal advantage heading into the 3rd quarter.

Once again the Beavers responded. Ashlee Farrar (South Paris, Maine) netted a pair of goals and Abby Trefsger (South Portland, Maine) picked up a goal on an assist from Backman, who recorded her 100th career point on the helper, to make it 11-11 with 11:40 left to play.

Burdick then took the game onto her own stick, scoring three goals in an 1:41 span to put the Wildcats back up by three. Emma Bourget (Gardiner, Maine) found the back of the net while the Beavers were down a man to make it 14-12. But Kopcza tallied an insurance goal for the Wildcats who picked up their 2nd win of the season.

McMinis picked up four goals on the afternoon for the Beavers while Backman picked up five points with three goals and two assists. Kate Nowell (York, Maine) recorded 13 saves in net for Farmington. 

Burdick had a great day for the Wildcats, putting in seven goals while Kopcxa added four goals and two assists while adding 11 draw controls. Jayden Brown picked up 15 saves for SUNY Poly.

UP NEXT 

The Beavers travel to Fitchburg State on Monday evening for 6 PM game.