MANSFIELD, Conn. – Sophomore Elizabeth Holmes (Southborough, Mass.) , first-year Kelsi McDougle (Hopedale, Mass.) and junior Caroline Malone (Walpole, Mass.) scored goals and  Babson College controlled the tempo throughout as it won its third straight match by shutout, 3-0, over Eastern Connecticut State University  Thursday evening at the Mansfield Outdoor Complex.

The home loss is the first for Eastern (4-4) after three triumphs this year while Babson (5-4)  recorded its third straight shutout, having outscored its opponents 14-0 in the process.

Holmes broke through for Babson in the 18th minute when she stick-handled through the Eastern defense and around fallen junior goalie Olivia Mullen (Bethel, Conn.) to deposit her third goal of the season. Nine minutes later, McDougle drove the ball from the top of the circle cleanly into the back of the cage to make it 2-0, and Malone added another insurance marker midway through the second half with her team-leading seventh goal of the season on a re-direct in front of Mullen.

Behind the play of starting defenders Kelly Gawron (Ramsey, N.J.), Alexandra Steward (Old Saybrook, Conn.), and  Jessica Oliveira (Danbury, Conn.), Eastern's defense was stout in front of Mullen and freshman Samantha Scavo (Redding, Conn.), but the Warriors spent most of the evening trying to dig the ball out of their own end and mount an offensive attack against a skilled Babson team. Malone and freshman Victoria Spofford (Merrimac, Mass.)  combined for ten of their team's shots, with Spofford being credited with an assist on Holmes' opening goal.

Senior Kayla Florence (Milton, Mass.) made one save in just over 53 minutes of action before giving way to sophomore Kayla Costa (Watertown, Mass.), who did not have to make a stop over the final 16:55.  Mullen made eight saves in playing the first half in goal for Eastern, which was outshot 16-3. Babson also had an 11-5 advantage in penalty corner.

Babson returns home to face Springfield on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m., while Eastern visits Framingham State University Saturday at 2 p.m. in a Little East Conference match.

Game Notes: Babson is now 8-0 all-time against Eastern Connecticut State and has not allowed a goal in the teams' last four meetings going back to 2008…Babson has recorded three consecutive shutouts for the first time since September of 2008…The Green and White is 11-3 in its last 14 road games dating back to November 2, 2011…Malone has now scored a goal in four consecutive games and in seven of the team's nine matches this season.