Slow Second Half Stops Women’s Lacrosse’s Five Game Win Streak

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (April 7, 2022) – The Western New England women's lacrosse team dropped their first contest in six games, falling to crosstown rival Springfield College in non-conference action from Stagg Field on a rainy Thursday night. 

Records:

• Western New England: 7-4
• Springfield College: 8-4

How it Happened:

The Golden Bears got off to a hot start, grabbing the first goal of the game just under five minutes of elapsed game time into the contest. Samantha Vitka would find the back of the net to get things started for Western New England, giving the Golden Bears a 1-0 lead. Springfield College wouldn't take long to answer with a goal as Katie Campbell took a pass from Arielle Johnson to find the back of the net, giving the Pride their first goal of the game. Springfield would take the lead, their first of the night, with five minutes remaining in the first quarter after Lilly Vey found the back of the net. Quickly responding was the Golden Bears and Liz Mazza, who collected her 17^th goal of the season for WNE. Springfield College would grab the last goal of the first half when Holly Rivers converted on a free position shot to give SC a 3-2 lead after one quarter of play. The even quarter of play saw WNE take nine shots to Springfield's six. Faith Graveline came away with two saves in the quarter while Colleen Browne made four saves for Springfield. 

Springfield College would score four of the five goals in the second quarter to take a four goal lead after 30 minutes of plat. Hannah Jarvis would find the back of the net, for the lone WNE goal of the quarter at the 3:57 mark. The Pride would only outshoot the Golden Bears 7-6 in the quarter, as both goalkeepers made four saves in the quarter with Springfield taking a 7-3 lead into the second half of play. The second half would belong to the home team, as the Pride would take total control of the play. 

SC ripped off the first five goals of the fourth quarter, taking a lead as big as nine as one point in the third 15 minutes of play. Mazza and Anabella Arias would pick up goals 2:11 apart from each other in the quarter, ending the third with a score of 12-5 in favor of the hosts. The fifth goal for WNE would be the last of the night for Western New England, as Springfield College would collect the only five goals of the fourth quarter to take a 17-5 victory over the Golden Bears. 

Inside the Lines: 

• Liz Mazza scored twice for WNE in the loss, taking a game high six shots, with two on goal for WNE. 
• Both Reilly Miller and Melissa Shanteler collected three ground balls each for the Golden Bears. 
• Katie Campbell and Lilly Very combined for nine of the Pride's 17 goals in the win. Two goalkeepers combined foe 11 saves on the night for Springfield. Faith Graveline made nine saves on 26 shots on goal for WNE.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• Western New England looks to rebound by traveling to Wentworth Institute on Saturday, April 9 at 12:00 pm. 
• The Pride travel to Emerson College on the same date at 4:00 pm.