April 3, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carole Grills
(413) 585-2703

Lacrosse Falls 17-6 to Western New England College

Northampton, MA: Junior attacker Carolyn Whiting (South Orange, NJ)tallied two goals and an assist while first years Phoebe Hopkins (Philadelphia, PA) and Sarah Knowles (North Kingston, RI) each added a goal and an assist in Smith's loss to Western New England College yesterday in Springfield.

The Golden Bears got out to an early 5-0 lead in the opening minutes before Sofia Nakhnikian-Weintraub (Eugene, OR) put Smith on the board with 10:16 remaining in the half. Senior co-captain Blair Rapalyea (Prides Crossing, MA) brought the Pioneers within three with a goal but Western New England answered with two goals to again take a five-goal lead.  Hopkins tallied for the Pioneers with 53 seconds left in the half to close the gap to four (7-3).

Western New England's offense took over in the second half as it outscored the Pioneers10-3.  Sophomore attacker Jeanmarie Barbato (Huntington Station, NY) led the team with seven goals  while Michelle Thompson (Wilbraham, MA) added three in the win.

Junior keeper Chelsea Henderson (White Plains, NY) took the loss for Smith and made 19 saves and allowed 15 goals while sophomore Marissa Bonitatibus (Yorktown Heights, NY) registered the win for the Golden Bears with 4 goals allowed and 6 saves.

The Pioneers return to New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) play on Saturday when they host Wellesley College at 1 p.m.