WLX: Lasell rolls along with GNAC win over Anna Maria

NEWTON, Mass. – Lasell College got goals from nine different players Saturday afternoon as the Lasers extended their winning streak to six games with an 18-3 victory over Anna Maria College in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) women's lacrosse action at Grellier Field.

Junior Jorgia Bergin (Sandwich, Mass.) led the Laser scoring parade with four goals on the afternoon, while sophomore Kellie Matthews (Walpole, Mass.) added three goals and senior Vanessa Pino (Methuen, Mass.) contributed two goals and two assists. Junior Mandy Brock (North Haven, Conn.), sophomore Hannah Thurston (Hanover, Mass.) and freshman Erin Kriger (Burlington, Mass.) also tallied two goals each in the Laser victory.

Freshman Ashley Rufo (Pittsfield, Mass.) led the Amcats with two goals and classmate Niamh Cote (Tewksbury, Mass.) was a solid contributor with three draw controls, two ground balls and two caused turnovers.

Lasell jumped out to a 5-0 lead 10 minutes into the contest, as Matthews scored all three of her goals in that span. The Lasers went on to a 9-0 lead by halftime, out-shooting the Amcats 28-3 in the opening 30 minutes. Anna Maria scored the first two goals of the second half but Lasell outscored the visitors 7-0 over the final 20 minutes to cruise to the 18-3 victory.

The Lasers won 16 of the 23 draws, led by Bergin with six draw controls and junior Amanda DiLeonardo (West Haven, Conn.) with four. Kriger and freshman Leticia Farias (Marlborough, Mass.) led the team with five ground balls, and sophomore Ana Knight (Harpswell, Maine) posted a team-high four caused turnovers.

Lasell finished with a 45-7 margin in shots. Anna Maria freshman Emma Walsh (Dracut, Mass.) was solid in goal, finishing with 19 saves. Junior Morgan Choquet (Woonsocket, R.I.) made three saves in a scoreless first half for the Lasell defense before giving way to freshman Devin Zambruno (Plymouth, Mass.) for the second half.

The Lasers are back in action on Wednesday, March 27, when they visit Regis College for a GNAC match-up at 6 p.m. Anna Maria plays its next four games at home, beginning Monday, March 25, against Massachusetts Maritime at 7 p.m.

-- 30 --