Women's Lacrosse: Speight tallies six points in 18-11 loss at Simmons during GNAC Quarterfinals

BOSTON - Senior midfielder Serena Speight compiled career-highs of five goals and six points for the seventh-seeded Lasell University women's lacrosse team during an 18-11 setback at second-seeded Simmons Saturday afternoon during the quarterfinal round of the GNAC Tournament.

The Lasers (7-10, 6-7 GNAC) see their season come to an end, as the unit finished the regular season by winning three of their final four GNAC games to secure a playoff spot. The Sharks (16-2, 12-1 GNAC) will host third-seeded Johnson & Wales in the semifinals Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Boston.

Senior goalie Devin Zambruno, who broke the program's single-game saves record with 26 at Dean on April 2, made a game-leading 19 saves. She finished the season with 231 saves, the most in a single season in program history. In their final game as Lasers, Sydney Brady and Sophia Gadsden each found the back of the net twice.

"This season the team worked so hard and has accomplished so much," said Gadsden. "Being a part of this team all four years, I have seen all of my teammates grow and it is one of the many reasons as to why I love Lasell. We are so lucky to have had Head Coach Britney Wuorio step up when we needed a coach most and she has been the key reason behind how transformative this season was."

The Lasers also received contributions from Emily Chapdelaine (assist), Sophie Fistori (goal) and Teresa Kessner (goal). Leading the way for Simmons were Sammi Hogan (6 goals, 1 assist), Julia Chausse (3 goals, 3 assists) and Abby Stoller (4 goals). Goalie Nicole Elliott earned the win in net, making seven saves.

Simmons took a 3-0 lead with 8:48 remaining in the first behind a pair of goals by Stoller. The Lasers scored four of the final six goals in the opening quarter, cutting the deficit down to 5-4 on a tally by Fistori with 12 seconds on the clock. Gadsden scored twice in the second quarter and Speight tallied one goal ad one assist, but the Sharks won the quarter, 8-3, and took a 13-7 lead into halftime.

During the second half, the Lasers received two goals from Speight and one apiece from Brady and Kessner. Hogan scored a hat trick for the hosts, as Simmons closed out the seven-goal victory.

Speight led the Lasers with a career-high seven draw controls and she put all six of her shots on goal. Courtney Sobolewski, who was playing in her final game as a Laser, came through with two caused turnovers and two ground balls. Emi Boedeker led all players with 12 draw controls and Riley Wasiuk compiled game-highs of six caused turnovers and six ground balls.

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

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