FH: Lasell downs Johnson & Wales for GNAC victory

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Five different players scored goals as Lasell University defeated Johnson & Wales University Saturday afternoon, 5-3, in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) field hockey game at Scotts Miracle-Gro Stadium.

Lasell led just 1-0 at halftime, but erupted for three goals in the third period to take control of the game with a 4-1 lead after three quarters. The Wildcats pulled to within one goal at 4-3 in the final frame before Lasell added an insurance goal with two and a half minutes remaining.

Senior Sam Taylor (Hanover, Mass.) led the way for Lasell with a goal and an assist. The Lasers improve to 4-7 overall and 3-1 in GNAC play while the Wildcats drop to 2-9 overall and 1-2 in conference games.

After a scoreless first quarter, junior Claire Shepherd (Huntington Beach, Calif.) put the Lasers on the board in the final minute of the second quarter, tapping in a crossing pass from Taylor. Senior Izzy Contois (Conway, Mass.) and junior Megan Horrigan (Wakefield, Mass.) scored for the Lasers in the first five minutes of the third quarter as Lasell opened up a 3-0 lead.

The Wildcats broke through with their first goal by Alaina Nardslico midway through the period, but Lasell freshman Mya Maxim (South China, Maine) answered a minute later to give the Lasers their three-goal margin back, 4-1.

Rachel DeVore and McKayla Weaver scored back-to-back goals for the home team midway through the final stanza to make things interesting, but Taylor closed out the scoring with her team-leading eighth goal of the season with 2:30 remaining to seal the 5-3 win. Taylor ranks third in the GNAC with the eight goals.

Lasell finished with an 18-15 margin in shots. Sophomore Sofia Rodriguez (Peabody, Mass.) made six saves to earn the win for the Lasers, while Grace Pendergast and Madison Flaxington combined to make five saves for the hosts. Manuella Rios also made a defensive save for JWU.

The Lasers return home to host Clark University on Tuesday, October 8, in a non-conference game at Grellier Field (3:30 p.m.). Johnson & Wales travels to Dean College on Wednesday, October 9, for a non-conference affair at 3 p.m.

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