Women's Soccer Advances in NCAA Tournament with Historic 3-1 Win Over Amherst

Amherst, Mass. (11/10/12) - The Lasell College women's soccer team made history on Saturday in their opening round NCAA tournament match against #12 Amherst College. The women's side advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament with a 3-1 defeat of the host Lord Jeffs marking the first time in the history of Lasell College athletics that a Lasers team has won an NCAA tournament game.

Molly Masiero (Richmond, Mass.), Kayla Lynch (Dover, N.H) and Bridget Lynch (Dover, N.H.) all tallied goals for Lasell in the victory. Ashley Parrelli (Marshfield, Mass.) made 11 saves in net for Lasell to earn the victory. Amanda Brisco (Houston, Tex.) scored the lone goal for the Lord Jeffs, who saw keeper Holly Burwick (New Canaan, Conn.) make three saves in a losing effort.

Amherst held a 21-10 advantage in shots, and a 12-6 edge in shots on goal, but that wasn't enough to propel the hosts to their second straight opening round win. Lasell was making their third straight NCAA tournament appearance, defeated a New England Small College Athletic Conference opponent for the first time in three tries.

Lasell got on the board early courtesy of a perfectly placed header by Molly Masiero on a long throw-in by senior outside back Mary Kate Dunphy (Wareham, Mass.). Masiero found space just outside the top of the six yard box and snapped off a header that put Lasell ahead 1-0 in the 13th minute.

Amherst created a series of opportunities as the opening half progressed, but were unable to find space thanks to the Lasers stout defending. Dunphy, along with fellow outside back Jill Greaney (Holyoke, Mass.) and center back Jamie Osterberg (Monroe, Conn.) forced the Lord Jeffs to find chances from distance that Parrelli was able to handle.

In the 55th minute, sophomore Bridget Lynch sprung twin sister Kayla on a counter attack with a well-timed through ball that Kayla slotted past a diving Burwick to put Lasell ahead 2-0. The host Lord Jeffs continued to press, and test the Laser defense, but were unable to find an opportunity to get on the board.

Bridget Lynch struck in the 70th minute when she outpaced a pair of Amherst backs to a ball and beat Burwick in a one-on-one opportunity to give Lasell a 3-0 lead.

Brisco drew Amherst within two goals with her strike in the 84th minute, but solid defending and several spectacular saves by Parrelli allowed Lasell to hold on for the 3-1 victory.

Lasell will face-off against Brandeis on Sunday November 11th at 1:30 p.m. at Amherst College in the second round of the NCAA tournament. The Judges advanced by defeating Union College 2-1 in overtime in the 1:30 p.m. contest.