Lacrosse Falls To Fitchburg State

CHICOPEE, Mass. – The Elms lacrosse team fell behind 4-0 in the first half against Fitchburg State and couldn't bounce back in a 16-3 loss at  Leary Field on Saturday.

After more than eight scoreless minutes to open the game, FSU (5-0) scored four goals in just over four minutes to build a 4-0 lead. Elms got on the board when Haley Richard scored to make it 4-1 mid-way through the first half, but the Falcons scored the next four goals to pull ahead 8-1.

Vanessa Vurno, who assisted Richard's goal, added a score of her own less than five minutes before halftime, and Elms trailed 8-2 at the break.

FSU, however, scored the first eight goals of the second half to build a 16-2 lead before Jackie Soucia scored with 1:50 to play to make it 16-3.

Richard ripped a team-high seven shots for Elms while Soucia fired three, all on goal. Elms goalkeeper Emily Huber finished with nine saves.

FSU's Tracy Long scored five goals while Carrie Long added four for the Falcons. Rebecca Fisher also scored twice for Fitchburg State. Marguerite Belcher had five saves for FSU.

FSU dominated the draw on Saturday, finishing with an 18-4 advantage in draw controls. The Falcons also won the turnover battle, 22-16, and held a slim edge in ground balls, 13-11.

The Blazers return to action on March 27 when Coast Guard visits Elms. Fitchburg State will host Regis on March 29.