VASSALBORO – Kristen MacDonald saved her best hole for her last and used a run of eight consecutive pars to maintain her lead at the New England Women’s Amateur on Tuesday at Natanis Golf Course.

MacDonald, of Billerica, Mass., shot a 3-over par 75 for a two-day total of 146. That’s good enough for a three-shot lead over Sam Morrell, of North Kingstown, R.I.

“I knew she was playing well,” said MacDonald, who made two birdies, “but I didn’t want to to anything that took me away from my game. I just wanted to finish strong.”

She did just that, sinking a tap-in birdie putt on the 18th to polish off her round.

Morrell also shot a 75.

Saco native Emily Bouchard, the defending state amateur champ, shot a 78 to post the best score for a Maine golfer for the second consecutive day. She shot an 81 on Monday.