By Michael Letendre

BRISTOL – In city series battles this season, the Bristol Eastern girls lacrosse squad nearly picked off Bristol Central earlier in the campaign.

And just this past Friday, the Lancers were in the mix against St. Paul Catholic as well, dropping a tough 12-11 decision in non-conference play.

The Falcons improved to 5-7 overall, winning its last two matches.

Eastern fell to 7-6 overall but kept it close throughout.

Ciara Collins led the Eastern charge with four goals, Emma Stavens and Vanessa Drury added three scores apiece while Makenzie Aparo also scored for the Kingstreeters.

Defensively, Avery Ellis was tough in the goal while Audra Porowski and Jayna Hatcher battled on the defensive end.

Stavens is a scoring machine

Stavens, with a free position goal midway through the St. Paul Catholic match, helped Eastern get within one at 8-7.

The tally by Stavens gave her a new single season scoring record at Eastern with 51 goals.

She added another score late in the contest and now has 52 goals for the season.

Collins was the old record holder with 50, established last season by the then junior standout.

The rest of the way

Eastern finishes the regular season with three matches this week, followed by the state tournament fray.

On Tuesday, the Lancers travel to Wethersfield for a CCC Interdivisional showdown (6 p.m.) and then on Thursday, it’s a trip to Cromwell for non-conference action (3 p.m.).

And to end the week, its Central/Eastern, Part 2.

The Rams travel to Alumni Field for a 6:30 p.m., under the lights extravaganza.

Eastern will be looking to avenge it’s 10-8 setback to Central back on April 25.

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