Women's Lacrosse: Teresa Kessner stars again in 11-9 victory at Elms

CHICOPEE, Mass. - Sophomore attack Teresa Kessner is playing her best lacrosse of the season at the perfect time, as she poured in three goals and four assists for the Lasell University women's lacrosse team during an 11-9 GNAC triumph at Elms Saturday.

"We really pushed ourselves today and kept fighting to the end," said Kessner. "Not one player gave up and for that we came out on top. I am proud of everyone for putting their hearts out onto the field. It was a great win."

In her last two games, Kessner has tallied nine goals and six assists for the Lasers (6-8, 5-6 GNAC), as Lasell has won back-to-back conference games, defeating Rivier, 15-5, on Thursday. On Saturday, Sydney Brady (4 goals), Emily Chapdelaine (1 goal, 2 assists) and Sophia Gadsden (2 goals) all played important roles.

"Eveyone did their part today and it was so nice to see it all come together," said Gadsden. "It was competitive on both sides of the ball, but we were able to take control of it and work together."

Senior goalie Devin Zambruno earned her sixth win of the season for Lasell, turning aside 12 shots. Brady led all players in shots (12) and shots on goal (9), while her seven draw controls were tied for the most in the game. Lasell played great in crunch time, as the visitors won the fourth quarter, 4-2, and scored three of the game's final four goals.

"We have started coming together as a team," said Lasell University Women's Lacrosse Head Coach Britney Wuorio. "These women have been working hard in practice and focusing on the little things that are helping us step up our game. Everything is starting to click and it is amazing to see."

The Blazers (6-7, 5-7 GNAC) were led by Elise Paier (3 goals, 2 assists), Anna-Elise Pikul (3 goals) and Taylor Borla (1 goal, 2 assists). Goalie Emma Walsh made 12 saves for Elms.

The Lasers came out strong, scoring three of the first four goals, as a tally by Brady, assisted by Chapdelaine, put Lasell in front, 3-1, with 3:34 left in the first quarter. Back-to-back goals by Elms evened the score at 3-3 at the end of one, but the Lasers scored the first three goals of the second quarter. Kessner had her hands in all three tallies, with one goal and two assists, as Lasell went into halftime with a 6-4 advantage.

Elms won the third, 3-1, as the game went into the fourth knotted at 7-7. With the game tied at 8-8 and less than four minutes left in regulation, Brady buried a free-position shot and Kessner found the back of the net during a man-up situation, giving Lasell some breathing room at 10-8. A goal by Paier cut the Lasers' lead down to one with 2:47 on the scoreboard, and then Chapdelaine came recorded a huge insurance goal with 1:06 on the clock securing the two-goal victory for the Lasers.

Lasell led the shots' category, 33-31, while Elms held advantages in ground balls, 24-15, and draw controls, 14-9. Natalia Cullen led the Lasers with four ground balls, tied for the most in the game.

The Lasers will compete against GNAC-rival Emmanuel Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Boston.

Director of Athletic Communications Trevor Wenners can be reached at twenners@lasell.edu.

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