Sage Holds Off Women's Lacrosse

Kaleigh Anderson (@KaleighAnd1)

CHICOPEE, Mass. –The Elms College women's lacrosse team fell to visiting Sage College, 18-11, in non-conference play Thursday afternoon at Leary Field. With the loss the Blazers drop to 1-4 on the season, while the Gators rise to 2-1 overall.

The Gators gained quick momentum in the first posting their initial goal just twenty seconds into the contest off the stick of Monica Koralus (Verbank, N.Y.), followed by a second Sage tally after Ellen Abbot (East Greenbush, NY.) made her way through the defense to find the back of the Elms net. Ashley Cava (Wilbraham, Mass.) pushed back for the Blazers squad netting a goal of her own at the 28:14 mark, off of a Vanessa Vurno (Salem, Conn.) pass from the right side. With 17:41 on the clock, a Cava pass connected with Victoria Lynn Smith (Somers, Conn.) to light up the scoreboard on the Blazers end in an effort to close in on the deficit. However, the Gators would go on to produce six out the next eight goals to head into the half owning a 9-4 advantage.

Pressure was on at the start of the second with the Gators leading by five.  Vurno struck first for the Blazers after a Cava ball enabled her to find a hole in the Gator defense. Sage would rebuttal with a free position tally from Adriana Spucches (Red Hook, NY.) to widen the gap to five. Smith and Cava would both strike again for the Blazers off of Jackie Soucia (Belchertown, Mass.) contributions to keep hope alive posting a 12-8 score with 20:12 remaining on the scoreboard. Vurno would continue on to tally two more bullets for Elms before the final buzzer, however the Gators ultimately walked away with the victory after a final Mahar goal sent them away owning an 18-11 score.

Vurno totaled a team-high four goals on the afternoon, while Cava, Smith, and Jillian Pirog (Ludlow, Mass) each added two apiece for the Blazers. Haley Roberts (Westfield, Mass.) netted one on the game as well.

Koralus led all scorers with six goals for the Gators as well as four assists, followed by Spucches with three for Sage.

The Blazers edged the Gators in ground balls, 18-16, as well as draw controls 16-13. Emily Brown (Agawam, Mass.) made two saves for Elms in her first ever appearance in net, while Gators goalkeeper Jackie St. Pierre (Averill Park, NY.) recorded a game-high six saves on the day.

The Blazers return back to action Tuesday March 22^nd against Green Mountain 7:00 p.m. at Leary Field. The Gators travel to Ramapo College March 19^th for a 1:00 p.m. start. 

ELMS LACROSSE