MIDDLETOWN, R.I. - Visiting Middlesex turned in an all-around team effort and secured a crucial ISL win, topping rival Saint George's 14-10 on Saturday afternoon.

The Zebras set the tone immediately in the opening quarter behind determined draw work from Marin Gustafson (Wellesley, Mass.), Cate Glass (Brookline, Mass.) and Bella Santucci (Leominster, Mass.). 

Their effort on the circle gave the Zebras control, leading to four goals in an eight minute span. Annika McNulty (Houston, Texas) opened the scoring off a sharp feed from Gustafson. After the Dragons answered with two goals of their own, the Zebras responded with a three-goal run to close the quarter. Ryan Pinney (Harvard, Mass.), Gustafson, and Addie Curry (Carlisle, Mass.) each found the back of the net, while Glass dished out two assists during the surge. 

Defensively, Lucy McGaraghan (Lexington, Mass.) and Sarah Voute (Harvard, Mass.) anchored a relentless unit, empowering freshmen Rory Gurtler (Wellesley, Mass.) and Emma Voute (Harvard, Mass.) who had their first starts in the defensive end.

The second quarter saw both teams trade momentum, with each side tallying three goals. Santucci and Glass converted on feeds from Gustafson and Curry, and Glass capped the half with a buzzer-beating goal while Middlesex was a player down, an energizing moment that sent the Zebras into halftime with confidence.

Middlesex continued to control play in the third quarter with goals from Pinney, Glass, and Curry. The Dragons pushed in the fourth quarter in an attempt to claw back into the game, but the Zebras' grit on defense and timely offense from Thea Salem (Cambridge, Mass), Santucci, and Curry shut down any comeback hopes.

The defensive unit delivered a statement performance, taking four defensive charges that resulted in key turnovers. Gustafson added two interceptions, while Gurtler recorded the most  caused turnovers for the day. Salem dominated the ground ball battle throughout the game, and Glass and Gustafson combined for eight assists, showcasing the team's unselfish, balanced attack that featured goals from seven different players.

Molly Kearney (Lexington, Mass.) was relentless on the ride, creating pressure all over the field. Burke Hastings (Wellesley, Mass.) made her debut and stepped into the defense during a 7-vs-5 situation, scooping up a crucial ground ball in the 8-meter area
and transitioning it cleanly to the attack, which led to a Zebras goal. 

In net, Erin Larson (North Andover, Mass.) was steady and composed, turning away ten shots and clearing effectively under pressure to keep the Dragons from gaining momentum.

From draw control to defensive stops to balanced scoring, the Zebras delivered a true team win on the road.

Middlesex and the Dragons square off again on Wednesday, May 20 in Concord.