WLX: Lasell gets past Norwich in GNAC quarterfinal

NEWTON, Mass. – Junior Sydney Brady (Westfield, Mass.) scored a career-high seven goals and graduate student Jordan McComb (Cumberland, R.I.) added six goals and three assists Saturday afternoon as second-seeded Lasell University held off seventh-seeded Norwich University, 15-8, in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) women's lacrosse semifinal match-up at Grellier Field.

The Lasers won their fifth straight game and improve to 6-1 overall, while Norwich completes its season at 2-6. Lasell moves on the semifinals and will host third-seeded Johnson & Wales University on Wednesday, April 28, at 4 p.m. at Grellier Field. The Wildcats (5-3) advanced to the semifinals Saturday with a 24-7 victory over sixth-seeded University of Saint Joseph (Connecticut).

The Lasell-Norwich game Saturday was a far cry from the regular season encounter, when the Lasers rolled to a 23-6 victory back on March 20. The Cadets had an early 3-1 lead, the teams were tied 4-4 midway through the first half, and were within two goals with Lasell leading 9-7 with less than 20 minutes remaining in the second half.

Senior Emily Schromm (North Attleboro, Mass.), sophomore Allison Sturgeon (Monticello, Ind.) and senior Kathryn Preul (Scottsdale, Ariz.) scored consecutive goals to give Norwich the early 3-1 lead. McComb came alive for Lasell and scored five goals in the final 18 minutes of the half to give the Lasers a 7-4 advantage at the break.

After the teams went back and forth for two goals each to start the second half, Sturgeon scored the fourth of her team-high five goals to pull the Cadets to within 9-7. But Lasell tightened up the defense and allowed just one more goal the rest of the way and Brady sealed the victory with the final four Laser goals, including three while playing with a player advantage due to Norwich penalties.

McComb had another strong all-around game, tying the school record with nine caused turnovers in a game while collecting seven ground balls and six draw controls. Senior defender Caitie Grady (Southbury, Conn.) also recorded six ground balls and five caused turnovers.

Schromm was a big contributor for Norwich, scoring two goals and adding seven ground balls, four caused turnovers and three draw controls.

Graduate student Morgan Choquet (Woonsocket, R.I.) made seven saves to earn the win between the pipes for the Lasers, and senior Sydney Rocheville (Salem, Mass.) made 14 saves at the other end for the Cadets.

Wednesday's semifinal game will be a rematch of the regular-season encounter on March 31, when Lasell defeated Johnson & Wales, 16-13, at Grellier Field. The other semifinal game matches top-seeded Emmanuel College (7-0) against fifth-seeded Anna Maria College (1-4). The semifinal winners will meet for the championship next Saturday, May 1, at the site of the highest remaining seed.

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