FH: Blaha, Stark lead Lasell to first GNAC victory

NEWTON, MASS. - It was the home opener and first Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) matchup for the Lasell Field Hockey team as they took on the Blazers of Elms College. The Lasers took matters into their own hands today as they defeated Elms 9-0 to improve to 2-1 overall on the season and 1-0 in GNAC play. Leading the way for Lasell were Senior Forward Sheridan Blaha (Waltham, Mass.) and Junior Forward Lily Stark (Saco, Maine) as they scored 4 (Blaha) and 3 (Stark) goals to pace their high-powered offensive performance today, respectively. Lasell will be back in action on Tuesday when they host non-conference opponent Salve Regina University at Grellier Field at 5:00 PM. 

The first period was scoreless with both teams looking to get the offense flowing early. The Lasers got on the board at the 12:54 mark in the first when Stark scored the Lasers' first goal to make it 1-0. Then, the Lasers scored again in less than a minute from Blaha to end the first period 2-0. 

Blaha would then score her second goal again in the second period with an assist from Stark. Freshman Forward Halleen Seguin (Scarborough, Maine) would score her first collegiate goal to give the Lasers a 4-0 lead at the half.

In the third, Lasell would score 2 more goals to make it 6-0 with one coming from Sheridan Blaha again to complete the hat trick and a second goal from Lily Stark, assisted by Blaha.

In the final period, Blaha would score her fourth goal of the game, which matches her career-high (from Regis), with the assist from Sophomore Alyson Barnes (South Deerfield, Mass.). Then, Sophomore Caitlyn Smith (Newington, Conn.) scored, making it her third goal of the season as the Lasers capped off their offensive prowress when Lily Stark would get her third goal, completing the hat trick with the assist from Barnes. 

Elms led 16-2 in saves on the afternoon with Lasell leading in shot attempts 35-3.