Women's Soccer Claims 5th GNAC Title

NEWTON, Mass. (11/08/2014)- The Lasell College women's soccer team captured their 5^th consecutive Great Northeast Athletic Conference Championship Saturday afternoon after defeating Emmanuel College 6-1. The Lasers continue their season with a record of 17-4, while the Saints finish at 13-10 overall.

Sophomore Megan Cullen (Amesbury, Mass.) and senior Bridget Lynch (Dover, N.H.) teamed up for Lasell's scoring, while junior Katelyn Fink (Sanford, Maine) tallied one for the Saints.

Cullen wasted little time getting on the board for the Lasers when she finished a pass from Bridget Lynch 43 seconds into the contest. Junior Sarah Jones (Duxbury, Mass.) prepared Bridget Lynch on the play, sending a long ball through the left side of the pitch. The duo connected again in the 18^th minute when Cullen netted a header goal in the top right corner of the Saints' net. Cullen tallied again for the Lasers just before halftime when senior Kayla Lynch set her up on a one-on-one situation with the keeper, ending the half with a 3-0 lead.

The Lasers repeated their early-offensive approach two minutes into the second half when Kayla Lynch notched her first of the game, connecting on the end of a cross from Bridget Lynch. At 47:43, the Saints nearly got on the board when sophomore Maggie Carey (Swampscott, Mass.) blasted a shot from the 18 yard box that just skimped Lasell's crossbar.

Bridget Lynch continued the scoring for Lasell in the 49^th minute when she shot the ball in the lower right corner of the net, with Cullen on the assist.

The Saints answered in the 51^st minute when Katelyn Fink capitalized on a cross from freshman Amanda Roberts (Hudson, N.Y.), to cut their deficit to 5-1.

After a scoreless 28 minutes, Bridget Lynch looked to mark her second of the game, but was deprived of the opportunity from Saints senior goalkeeper Victoria Laroche (Hudson, N,H.).

The Lasers secured the victory with two minutes remaining in regulation when Cullen took advantage of a one-on-one situation with Laroche, and netted the ball to the lower right side of the net.

Lasell freshman keeper Sarah LaClair (Belchertown, Mass.) saved five of the six shots faced on net, while Laroche stopped six of 11.

LaClair finishes the GNAC tournament with one goal against out of 15 shots on goal. In sixteen game appearances, LaClair goes forward with a record of 14-2.

The Lasell College Lasers will enter the National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament for the 5^th straight year, and will await their draw on Monday afternoon.