March 27, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carole Grills
(413) 585-2703

Smith Lacrosse Falls 15-9 to Western New England

Northampton, MA: The Pioneers opened their home season with a 15-9 loss to Western New England College in a non-conference contest. The loss dropped Smith to 0-3 overall while the Golden Bears improved to 6-2.

Western New England took an early lead as they outscored Smith 9-1 in the opening seventeen minutes of the game and took a 10-3 lead into the half. Senior Jillian Caracciolo (Burnt Hills, NY)  and first year Jeanmarie Barbato (Huntington Station, NY) paced the Golden Bears with two goals each in the  opening twenty minutes.

The Pioneers answered with the first three tallies of the second half to close within five goals but WNEC went on a 4-1 run to extend its lead to 14-7 which was enough to take the victory.

Junior Emily Riff (Wayzata, MN) scored 3 goals for Smith while sophomore Michelle Walsh (Northampton, MA) added two.  Sara Smith (Brooklyn, NY) took the loss for the Pioneers as she gave up 15 goals and made 23 saves while Marissa Bonitatibus (Yorktown Heights, NY) registered the win.

WNEC goals:  Barbato 4; Kaitlyn Zangle 3; Lindsey Fenton 3; Jillian Caracciolo 2; Kayte Devine 2; Rosalie rodriguea 1

Smith goals:  Riff 3; Walsh 2; Carolyn Whiting 1; Sara Smyth 1; Caitlin Kennedy 1; Blair Rapalyea 1.

Keepers:  Marissa Bonitatibus (60 mins), 9 GA, 6 saves
Sara Smith (60 mins), 15 GA, 23 saves