WASHINGTON (April 29, 2023) – Howard University seniors Madison Joines (Winston-Salem, N.C.) and Quai Skeete-Ridley (New Carrollton, Md.) each produced a hat trick, but their efforts were not enough as the women's lacrosse team fell to Central Connecticut State (CCSU), 17-10, in its season finale at Greene Stadium.
 
HU had its best scoring output of the season with five Bison tallying a goal.
 
CCSU took the early lead with three consecutive goals, but Howard closed the first period with back-to-back goals from Skeete-Ridley and rookie Berkeley Clayborne (Highland Park, Ill.), 3-2.
 
HU's momentum rolled into the second quarter, taking its first lead of the day after consecutive goals by Joines, 4-3.
 
Central Connecticut State knotted the contest at four apiece, but newcomer Kendall Barker (Columbus, Ohio) found a cutting Joines for her third goal of the afternoon and giving HU a 5-4 edge with less than 10 minutes before intermission.
 
CCSU regained the upper hand late in the second period with a pair of goals, 6-5, but HU responded with two goals of their own and took back the lead with more than two minutes before halftime, 7-6.
 
With time dwindling before the half, the Blue Devils' Olivia Gianakos found the back of the cage and tied the match, 7-7.
 
After intermission, Central Connecticut State scored twice early in the third quarter and regained momentum. CCSU finished the third with five unanswered goals and took a 12-7 advantage into the final period.
 
Central Connecticut State added two more goals early in the fourth to extend the lead, 14-7, but freshman Tea Vasquez (Oakland, Calif.) ended HU's scoring drought and got Howard back into the contest with less than 12 minutes remaining, 14-8.
 
With under two minutes left, Skeete-Ridley delivered her third goal on the day to close out HU's 2023 campaign.
 
In the cage, junior Jada Auletta (Montclair, N.J.) registered 12 saves and five ground balls for Howard (0-15, 0-8 NEC).
 
For CCSU (4-11, 2-6 NEC), Gianakos had six goals while Madison Cowdin added 14 ground balls and 12 draw controls in the win.
 
Before Saturday's contest, six Bison were recognized for their hard work and dedication to the women's lacrosse program: Joines; Skeete-Ridley; Heidi Chicas (Hyattsville, Md.); Andrea Fievre (Snellville, Ga.); Skylar Jennings (Philadelphia) and Rania Jones (Alexandria, Va.)
 
Howard head coach Karen Healy-Silcott and the Bison continue its pursuit for its first Northeast Conference title in spring 2024.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.