Big Second Half Leads Field Hockey to NAC Victory on Senior Day

NEWTON, MA- Lasell College picked up their first North Atlantic Conference win of the season during their senior day festivities on Saturday afternoon, defeating Rivier College, 9-1, on Grellier Field.

Three out of four Lasell seniors put points up on the scoreboard in their final home contest for the Blue & White.  Senior midfielder Sara Jannuzzi (Glen, NH) tallied the game-winning goal in the NAC match, senior defender Amanda Gorski (Wethersfield, CT) recorded a pair of goals, and senior midfielder Tia Pratt (Oxford Hills, ME) put four notches on her belt during the senior day celebration. 

It took just 35 seconds for the Lasers to get on the board as Pratt dribbled through defenders and released from 10 yards out.  Jannuzzi would then score the game-winner in the 12^th minute, connecting amidst a scrum of players all vying for the ball in front of Rivier's net.

Lasell sophomore Katelyn Fabri (Fairfield, CT) cut across the Raiders' baseline at 24:03 and release on a shot with a tough angel which skipped past Rivier goalkeeper Meghan Stephen (Pelham, NH) to give the hosts a 3-0 lead.

In the 33^rd minute, Rivier's Hilary Bouchard (Wells, ME) chipped a pass to Ashley Ruocco (East Kingston, NH) on the right wing in front of Lasell's net.  Ruocco unleashed to score what would be Rivier's only goal of the day, bringing the score to 3-1 as the teams parted for intermissions.

The Lasell defense, which included senior Kristin Moran (Bedford, NH), allowed just five shots in the first period, four of which were on frame.  The Lasers had 18 shots in the period, including 10 shots-on-goal.  Lasell also held a domineering 11-2 edge in penalty corners.

The Lasers put the game away for good in a big second period. Hannah Cebry (Burlington, CT) started the scoring a minute and a half in, taking a pass from Natasha Wood (White River Junction, VT) and banging home the goal.

Pratt converted back-to-back goals over a three minute span in nearly identical break away plays between 41:37 and 44:39.  Pratt secured the ball before the midfield line and used her speed to defeat defenders, ultimately facing Stephen one-on-one and winning.

Gorski then scored her duo of marks consecutively at 46:32 and 56:43.  She first picked off a pass in the Raiders back field and made her way through defense to score her second collegiate goal, and first goal of the season. Gorski then scored ten minutes later when Sam Smithers (Yarmouth, MA) raced down the left sideline and crossed the pass to Gorski who snuck behind defenders to have an open shot on the Raiders net.

Smithers registered her second assist of the day in a give-and-go play with Pratt with less than ten minutes left to play which would finalize the scoring.

Lasell's goal keeper Christine Thornton (Canton, MA) was awarded the win in net, making five saves along the way.  Stephen finished the contest with eight saves in the defeat. Lasell held a 28-10 advantage in shots throughout the match.

The Lasers have one final regular season game to play on Wednesday, October 27^th at Framingham State College. The Lasers and the Rams will face-off at 3:30 p.m.