BIDDEFORD — The University of New England women’s lacrosse team has had some close battles with Bridgewater State in the last few years, with their last meeting ending in a 12-10 Bears win.

Friday’s game was once again a dogfight that included four lead changes and resulted in a 10-9 Bridgewater win.

“I think we have to learn a little bit, get a little mentally tougher and be able to overcome some of those things. (Bridgewater is) a very aggressive team and obviously we didn’t play to that aggressiveness very well,” said UNE coach Sue Estabrook after the loss.

UNE trailed 9-8 with less than six minutes remaining, but Molly Camelo would knot the score. However, Bridgewater’s Elizabeth Ettridge responded just 1:41 later to give the Bears the lead that would be sustained for the remaining 3:40 to secure the win.

The Bears held a 5-3 lead late in the first half, but the Nor’easters would get goals from Casey Conwell and Camelo in the final two minutes to make it 5-5 at the break. Camelo gave UNE the 6-5 lead early in the second, but the Bears got three consecutive goals to jump ahead by two scores down the stretch.

Camelo and Anna Stowell led UNE with hat tricks, while Conwell, Keara Dwyer and Mackenzie Collins added one each. Ettridge led the Bears with five goals while Victoria McDonough added three and Hayley White one. UNE goalie Maritza Nary recorded nine saves.

Despite the loss, Estabrook feels that playing a tough team like the Bears could help UNE down the road in the rugged Commonwealth Coast Conference.

“We’re two totally different styles. They’re super aggressive and we play a different type of game. It’s good to play a team like this because in the long run it will make us tougher, make us realize what we have to do to get better and get ready for the conference because there are some teams in the conference that play like that as well,” said Estabrook.

The NCAA also implemented a handful of new rule changes this season, which has forced the Nor’easters to make adjustments in its roster and strategy in the early going.

“With the new rules, with the 90-second shot clock, the automatic starts, we need more bodies. Our roster size has increased, we’re moving things through. We have some nice young talent but it’s a different speed for them so it’s about teaching them and getting them ready for when it really matters,” said Estabrook.

Overall, Estabrook is pleased with the team’s development, and hopes to see its growth continue as the Nor’easters head into the midseason grind.

“We would like to have a few more wins than we have but I think we’re in a good place,” said Estabrook. “We’re progressing well, we’re trying some new things out with the new rules and subbing lines and things like that. It’s a year of change and it’s a year of figuring it out. We hope to be able to step up and do UNE proud.”

— Associate Sports Editor Alex Sponseller can be reached at [email protected] or at 282-1535 ext. 323. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.