WLX: Lasell defeats Rivier for GNAC victory

NASHUA, N.H. – Seniors Jordan McComb (Cumberland, R.I.) and Vanessa Pino (Methuen, Mass.) combined for 10 goals and five assists Wednesday evening as Lasell College defeated Rivier University, 23-11, in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) women's lacrosse game at Raider Field.

Lasell stopped a two-game losing skid and improved to 8-3 overall and 3-2 in conference games, while Rivier falls to 1-7 overall and 1-5 in the GNAC.

McComb scored a game-high six goals and added one assist while Pino tallied four goals and four assists in the victory. Junior Amanda DiLeonardo (West Haven, Conn.), sophomore Kellie Matthews (Walpole,  Mass.) and freshman Erin Kriger (Burlington, Mass.) added three goals apiece , and juniors Chloe Shugrue (Worcester, Mass.) and Jorgia Bergin (Sandwich, Mass.) scored twice each.

The Lasers scored the first three goals of the game, but Rivier answered with three of its own to tie the score six minutes into the game. Lasell then scored five time in the next four minutes, including three by Matthews, to put the visitors up 8-3. The teams went back and forth the rest of the half, with Lasell leading 12-8 at the break.

Lasell scored five of the first six goals of the second half, including three by McComb, to extend the lead to 17-9 with 13 minutes remaining. The Lasers controlled the game the rest of the way, outscoring the Raiders 6-1 to post the 23-11 win.

Junior Amanda Barton (Pelham, N.H.) and senior Marin Owens (Brookline, N.H.) tallied three goals each to lead Rivier, and senior Ashley Leal (Tyngsboro, Mass.) and junior Dzenana Omerovic (Revere, Mass.) added two goals apiece. Barton grabbed a game-high seven draw controls.

Lasell junior goalie Morgan Choquet (Woonsocket, R.I.) made 10 saves to earn the win, while Courtney Lapierre (Keene, N.H.) made 13 saves.

Lasell returns home to host Norwich University on Saturday, April 6, in a GNAC contest at 12 noon. Rivier will play the University of Saint Joseph (Connecticut) in a conference match-up Saturday at 5 p.m. at Central Connecticut State University.

-- 30 --