University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
3-3
Massachusetts
4-2
Huskies Take Down UMass
3/7/2026 5:27:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
AMHERST, Mass.- UConn women's lacrosse (3-3) defeated the UMass Minutewomen (4-2), 12-8, at Garber Field on Saturday afternoon. After starting 1-3, the Huskies have recorded two consecutive wins.
How it Happened:
Megan O'Brien scored the first goal of the game for the Huskies, ending a scoreless deadlock with just over eight minutes remaining in the first quarter. Ava Plata doubled the lead for the visitors, expanding UConn's advantage to 2-0 with three minutes left in the period. UMass cut the UConn lead in half in the final minutes of the frame as Dylan Lyons converted on the free position attempt.
Lyons scored her second goal of the day, tying the game at 2-2 with a free-position shot. Moments later, O'Brien put the Huskies back ahead with her second goal of the afternoon, giving them a 3-2 lead. Plata added her second of the day after UConn stopped the Minutewomen on the man-up opportunity. Norah Prizzi and Bridget Valentine each scored to tie the game at 4-4 at halftime.Â
O'Brien opened the scoring in the second half for the Huskies, giving UConn a 5-4 lead with her third goal of the day. Rayea Davis got on the board, converting on a Plata feed to extend the Husky lead to 6-4. After Kassidy Morris scored her first goal of the day, Karsyn Burnash responded to give UConn a two-goal advantage at 7-5. UMass continued to fight, with Lil Hancock scoring on the free position to bring the home team within one. O'Brien and Davis each scored to give the Huskies a three-goal lead.Â
McKenna Merkel scored her first collegiate goal by converting a free position shot to increase the Husky lead to 10-6. The freshman added her second goal of the day a few minutes later, expanding UConn's advantage to five. Abby Beran finished the day with her first goal of the season and her second career goal with UConn.
Inside the Numbers:
- O'Brien has tallied four points in five of six games this season. The sophomore has notched at least two points in every game this season and has recorded a point in 10 straight games, dating back to last season.
- Beran maintained her defensive skill, recording five more caused turnovers and five ground balls.
- Plata's four points (two goals, two assists) marked her second consecutive multi-point game.
- Merkel's two goals were the first of her UConn career.
- The Huskies held UMass to a season-low eight goals.
- UConn recorded a season-high 33 shots, eclipsing last week's mark of 32 against UAlbany.
Up Next: UConn will take on in-state foe Yale in New Haven on March 14th.
