Women's Lacrosse fall in MASCAC home opener to Fitchburg State 15-4

North Adams, MA- Led by senior Andrea Comeau (Watertown, MA)  who scored 4 times and freshman Tracy Long (Georgetown, MA) who had a 5 point game with 2 goals and 3 assists, the visiting Fitchburg State Falcons spoiled the Trailblazers home MASCAC opener this afternoon at Shewcraft Field with a convincing 15-4 decision. With the win the Falcons move to 5-5 overall and 1-1 in the conference while MCLA drops to 3-5 overall and 0-2 in MASCAC play.

The Falcons jumped out early in this one as Comeau's first goal of the day found the back of the net just 30 seconds into the contest. Less than a minute later senior Kayla Panek (Belchertown, MA) who finished with 2 goals and 2 assists on the day, made it 2-0. The Trailblazers attempted to answer with two decent scoring chances forcing Fitchburg goalkeeper sophomore Marguerite Blecher (Quincy, MA) to make a nice save; and later sending a shot just wide. Minutes later however Fitchburg's senior Maddie Driscoll (Derry, NH) caused a turnover which led to Long's 1^st goal of the day and gave the Falcon's a 3-0 lead just over 4 minutes into the game forcing an early MCLA timeout.

For the next five minutes MCLA was able to withstand the Falcon pressure as Trailblazer goalkeeper sophomore Zoe Elewell (Clifton Park, NY) stopped one shot, was aided by the post on another and snuffed out a scoring opportunity causing a turnover. But the next minute and a half would see the Falcons erupt for another 3 goals; 2 of which by Comeau and the other by junior Carrie Long (Foxborough, MA), making the score 6-0 with 18:27 left in the 1^st half.

Nearly five minutes later MCLA would finally break through as freshman Kim Granito (Glenmont, NY) fed sophomore Beatrice Lechler (Point Lookout, NY) for her first of two goals on the day. Unfortunately for the Trailblazers, Fitchburg would end the half scoring another 3 goals entering halftime up 9-1.

The Falcons came out of the break picking up where they left off scoring 6 straight including a pair by freshman Rebecca Fisher (Dracut, MA) and one by sophomore Molly Richard (Leominster, MA), her 1^st career goal. Despite the large deficit the Trailblazers continued to battle scoring the final 3 goals of the contest including Lechler's 2^nd of the day and a pair by Mackenzie Cutler (East Amherst, NY).

Fitchburg outshot MCLA 27-19 in the contest and also caused 11 of their 19 turnovers on the day. For the Trailblazers, Cutler led the team with 6 shots and 5 groundballs while each of Lechler's 4 shots were on goal and senior Natalie Caney (Belchertown, MA) added 4 groundballs.

Both teams will travel to take on non-conference opponents this week before returning to MASCAC play. The Falcons will visit Colby-Sawyer on Tuesday afternoon while the Trailblazers on a short turnaround will head north to face neighboring Southern Vermont Monday at 4pm.