Lasell Advances to the GNAC Finals with 4-0 win Against Emmanuel in Women’s Soccer

Boston, Mass. (11/1/12) – The Lasell College women's soccer team advanced to their third consecutive Great Northeast Athletic Conference championship match on Thursday afternoon by defeating Emmanuel College 4-0. The victory improved the Lasers to 13-4-1 on the season while the Saints fell to 13-5-1 with the loss.

Bridget Lynch (Dover, N.H.) and Kayla Lynch (Dover, N.H.) each had a pair of goals and an assist in the victory for Lasell, with Mary Kate Dunphy (Wareham, Mass.) and Molly Masiero (Richmond, Mass.) also nothcing assists for the Lasers. Ashley Parrelli (Marshfield, Mass.) made nine saves earning the shutout victory in net for Lasell. Ashley Cervin (Milford, Conn.) tallied three shots on goal for Emmanuel, starting goalkeeper Jessica D'Ottavio (Pawling, N.Y.) made six saves while taking the loss in net for the Saints.

Emmanuel looked strong in the early going, testing Parrelli twice in the opening minutes of the match. Parrelli made a diving save on a terrific strike by Cervin, and then stopped another outstanding Emmanuel chance on a header by Kristin Baker (Portland, Maine), keeping her side from going behind early.

Lasell began to turn the momentum in their favor as the first half progressed, and when D'Ottavio made a fantastic save on a Kayla Lynch shot, sister Bridget collected the rebound and fired it home to put Lasell ahead 1-0 in the 36^th minute. The goal by Bridget Lynch was her 21^st of the season, breaking the single season record of 20 previously held by Jamie Harris. Lasell continued to create quality opportunities over the final nine minutes of the opening half, but were unable to add to their lead.

Bridget scored her second goal of the afternoon on a well-timed through ball from Molly Masiero that she finished to give the Lasers a 2-0 lead in the 61^st minute. Kayla Lynch gave Lasell a 3-0 lead moments later when Bridget found space down the right flank and lofted a ball just off the outstretched fingers of D'Ottavio that found Kayla on the back post for the open-net finish. Mary Kate Dunphy's long ball gave Kayla a chance to score her second goal of the day and give Lasell the 4-0 final margin.

The victory gives Lasell a chance to win their third straight GNAC Championship when they host Simmons College on Sunday November 4^th at 1 p.m.

Emmanuel who was making their eighth GNAC semifinals appearance concluded their sixth consecutive season with double figure victories and will wait to see if they receive a bid to the ECAC New England Regional tournament.