WLX: Lasell too strong for Colby-Sawyer in first GNAC contest

NEW LONDON, N.H. – Seniors Jordan McComb (Cumberland, R.I.). and Vanessa Pino (Methuen, Mass.) had big days offensively Saturday afternoon as Lasell College defeated Colby-Sawyer College, 15-8, in the first Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) of the season at a cold and blustery Sally Shaw Veitch Turf Field.

Lasell, which was picked second in the GNAC preseason poll with a pair of first-place votes, improves to 4-1 overall and 1-0 in the GNAC. Colby-Sawyer, in its first season as a GNAC member, drops to 1-2 overall and in the conference.

The Lasers received a game-high eight points from senior Jordan McComb (Cumberland, R.I.). She finished with six goals, two assists, seven draw controls and four ground balls. Junior Amanda DiLeonardo (West Haven, Conn.) and senior Vanessa Pino (Methuen, Mass.) contributed three goals apiece. Pino also had four assists for a game-high seven points. Junior Chloe Shugrue (Worcester, Mass.) added a goal and game-highs of six ground balls and six caused turnovers.

Colby-Sawyer was led by sophomore Sarah Morin's (Pelham, N.H.) four goals. Sophomore Briana Couture (South Hadley, Mass.) added two goals and three ground balls. Senior Brittany Ireland (Amherst, N.H.) notched her 100th career point with an assist. Senior Sierra Schuster (Hopkinton, N.H.) contributed a goal, five ground balls, five caused turnovers and four draw controls. Junior Grace Vosburgh (Ludlow, Vt.) added a goal.

The teams traded the first four goals of the game, covering 15 minutes of action. The Lasers then scored five of the next six goals to take a 7-3 lead with 7:49 left to play in the first. Vosburgh and Morin sandwiched a goal from McComb to head into the break with Lasell leading 8-5.

The Lasers scored the first four goals in 12 minutes of the second half to take a 12-5 lead. A pair of Sarah Morin goals in 18 seconds pulled the Chargers within five, but DiLeonardo and McComb combined for two goals in a minute to put the visitors on top 14-7. Each side added one more goal to make the final score 15-8.

Lasell junior goalie Morgan Choquet (Woonsocket, R.I.) made 11 saves to earn her fourth win of the season. Colby-Sawyer junior goalie Kailyn Lapham (Medway, Mass.) had seven saves and moved into eighth all-time with 251.

The Lasers will begin a three-game home stand on Monday, March 18, with a make-up game against Emerson at 4 p.m., while the Chargers will host Norwich on Wednesday at 4 p.m.

(Courtesy of Colby-Sawyer Athletic Communications)

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