Norwich Battles to take a 12-10 Women’s Lacrosse Win on GNAC Opening Day

Newton, MA- On the first day of Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) women's lacrosse competition for Lasell College, Norwich University battled to take a 12-10 victory from the Lasers on Saturday afternoon at Grellier Field.    Norwich leveled their overall record to 1-1 with the win while Lasell drops to 2-4. 

Lasell made the move first to step out in front of the Cadets with just 1:33 off the clock when Ashley Slattery (Weymouth, MA) tucked in the first goal, but the Cadets came back to even the score three minutes later on a mark by Grace Fitzpatrick (Falmouth, ME) .  Fitzpatrick would finish the day with five goals, including the game-winner. 

Slattery regained the lead for Lasell at 22:56, but that would be the last advantage of the game for the Lasers in the contest.  After the Cadets pulled ahead 5-2 with just 9:03 to play in the first half, Chelsea Caren (Redding, CT) scored a natural hat trick for Lasell through an eight minute span which closed the first half and began the second.  At the break, Lasell was down 5-4, but Caren's third goal  just 1:59 into the second frame evened the score at 5-all.

After a second tie score at 6-all, the Lasers fell behind after back-to-back goals by Fitzpatrick.  Though the Cadets never earned more than a three-goal lead at any point, Lasell would trail the remainder of the game.  

Caren scored five goals for the Lasers on six total attempts at the net.  The senior attack would also grab three ground balls and three draw controls in the contest. 

Slattery netted a trifecta of goals for Lasell while collecting an impressive nine draw controls and chipping in with four ground balls. Neila Kudla (Groton, MA) and  Britney Wuorio (Bolton, MA) additionally had one goal and one assist apiece.

Lasell's netminder Kristin Coderre (Monson, MA) was dealt her fourth season loss in net, making 10 stops in the full 60 minutes.  Kellie Pickel (Montpelier, VT) gained her first win of the season in the Cadets net, making five saves against the Lasers' attack. 

In addition to her five tallies, Fitzpatrick added five ground balls for a game-best.  Suzanne Whitaker (Chelmsford, MA), Danielle De Dotto (Andover, MA), and Courtney Saheim (Bennington, VT) each notched two goals with Saheim collecting a squad-high four draw controls.  Chelsea Martin (Barre, VT) made her mark with one goal.

Lasell's next contest will take place on Tuesday, March 29^th at 4:00 p.m. on Grellier Field. The Lasers will face off with neighboring rivals Mount Ida College in GNAC play.