Athletics News and Press Releases

April 18, 2006
For Immediate Release
Contact: Joy Zazzera
(413) 585-3076

Smith Lacrosse Drops NEWMAC Contest to Rival
Mount Holyoke, 13-8

Northampton, MA: Smith Lacrosse hosted cross valley rival Mount Holyoke College in New England Women’s & Men’s Athletic Conference play, losing to the visiting Lyons 13-8 to fall to 0-6 in NEWMAC play and 3-11 overall. With the win, the Lyons stand at 2-3 in the conference while improving to 6-8 overall.

Susie Parke-Sutherland (Columbia, MO) won the opening draw for Smith as precision ball movement up the field resulted in the game’s first goal by senior Anna Lee Harris (Saxtons River, VT) from Betsy Nickle (Wilmington, DE) at 29:29. The Lyons came roaring back to score five unanswered goals to take a 5-1 lead with 14 minutes left in the first half. In that span, Lisa Paul earned the early hat trick while Lindsay Oldershaw and Marika Austin were credited with the other two Lyons tallies with Caitlin Taylor picking up the assist on each goal.

Blair Rapalyea (Prides Crossing , MA) recovered a ground ball and ran to the goal dishing off to Sara Smyth (Brooklyn, NY) for the Pioneers next goal at 8:11, but Austin and Taylor connected again for the Lyons as Austin found the net behind Smith goalie Sara Smith(Brooklyn, NY) to push Mount Holyoke’s lead to 6-2. The half ended on a high note for the Pioneers as Smyth collected two free position goals at 6:26 and 0:08 to head into halftime trailing 6-4.

Smyth began the second half like she ended the first, picking up another Pioneer score at 27:20 to pull her team within one of Mount Holyoke’s 6-5 lead. But the Lyons would go onto score 6 unanswered goals during the next twelve minutes to push their lead to 12-5. Austin picked up two unassisted tallies and a helper on one of Talyor’s two goals while Christine Raczka picked up an unassisted score and Anise Gold-Watts was credited with a free position tally.

Smith came back to pick up two quick goals to inch closer to the Lyon’s 12-5 lead. Rapalyea was able to find the net behind Lyon keeper Lauren Mulcahy at 12:44 before Smyth spun her defender around as she shot the ball past Mulcahy at 12:15 to bring the Pioneers within five, 12-7. Mount Holyoke scored their final goal of the game at 10:26 as Austin picked up her fifth goal of the afternoon. The Pioneers managed to find the net one last time as Parke-Sutherland motored from mid-field to goal, scoring on Mulcahy. Sara Smith who blocked numerous point blank Mount Holyoke shots this afternoon, stopped the Lyon’s last attempt at a goal, yet is credited with the loss as her team was defeated 13-8 by the cross valley rivals.

Smith made 18 saves while letting in 13 in her 11th start for the Pioneers while Smyth led the Pioneer offense with 5 tallies. Mulcahy stopped six Pioneers shots while allowing 8 goals. Austin led the Lyons with five goals and Taylor collected 2 goals and 6 assists.

Smith will host Western New England College on Thursday in a non-conference game beginning at 4 pm.

                          1      2      F
Mount Holyoke (2-3 NEWMAC, 6-8 overall)        6      7     13
Smith (0-6 NEWMAC, 3-11 overall)              4      4      8

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