Women's Lacrosse Take Down Springfield 16-9 with the Help of Vitka's 100th Career Goal

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (April 6, 2023) – The Western New England women's lacrosse team defeated their city rival, the Springfield College Pride 16-9 on their home field with the help of Samantha Vitka who scored her career 100^th goal.

Records:

• Western New England: 7-4
• Springfield College: 6-5

How it Happened: To get the game underway, Springfield College came out of the draw to shoot in the first goal of the game. The Golden Bears did the same thing on the next play and even up the score. Exactly a minute later, a free position gave WNE another score, and after a yellow card to be a man up, Hannah Jarvis put one in as well. They kept the Pride off the scoreboard for the rest of the quarter while getting two more balls to be put in the net. The Golden Bears took a 5-1 lead.

WNE held their momentum through quarter two even though the Pride picked up a quick goal to start the quarter with a free position. The Golden Bears did not score until the 8:45 mark. It goal from Madisyn Crotta, and Springfield responded with an immediate goal to bring them down three goals, 6-3. Two quick yellow cards were given to the Pride that led to Samantha Vitka's first goal of the game with 3:52 in the half. The Golden Bears reached the net two more times, Kylie Buchanan shot in her third goal with five seconds on the clock. The Golden Bears went into halftime on top 9-3. Goalie Faith Graveline had seven first half saves on 11 shots and Pride's goalie, Emily McDermott, had six saves on 15 shots.

SC changed their goalie to begin the second half, Haley Moody entered the game, and they put a goal in within 20 seconds. Buchanan who was just unstoppable, had back-to-back goals for the Golden Bears. Ally Hill picked up most of the draw controls in the third, and both teams shot it in before the fourth. WNE still had a significant lead 12-5.

The final quarter was an action packed one. There were eight total goals scored. The first one was the Golden Bears who scored after a turnover at 13:13. The Pride's Carlee Crispen earned two goals within two minutes, and they scored another one at 7:52, trailing 13-8. WNE broke up the run by putting one in at the other end, but the Pride scored their fourth goal in the quarter at 3:59. The Golden Bears didn't let them get anymore while reaching the back of the net two more times before the game's conclusion. Hill with one, and Vitka ended it by scoring her 100^th career goal. The Golden Bears defeated city rival, Springfield College 16-9.

Inside The Crease:

• The Golden Bears outshot the Pride 31-28. Springfield had more draw controls 18-11, but also had more turnovers 15-11.
• Kylie Buchanan had an impressive career high of six goals scored in a game, adding an assist and a groundball.
• Madisyn Crotta contributed three goals and a groundball to the Golden Bears total score.
• Samantha Vitka collected her 100^th career goal with three goals in the game, three assists, a groundball, and two draw controls.
• Goalie Faith Graveline concluded the game with a total of 13 saves on 22 shots, collecting her seventh win.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• The Golden Bears are back at home this Saturday, April 8, in Golden Bear Stadium against conference opponent Wentworth Leopards at 4 p.m.
• The Pride are back on their home turf for their next game against their conference opponent, Emerson College, Saturday, April 8, at 12 p.m.