SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The Springfield College women's lacrosse team presented Regan Denham with 12-6 victory over visiting Western New England College in her coaching debut in the season opener for both teams Thursday afternoon (March 5) at Stagg Field.

Junior Jenn Zubkus (Dover, NH) and sophomore Kaeleigh Lannan (Derry, NH) each scored three goals with an assist for the Pride. Freshman Jackie Moscardelli (Weymouth, MA) had an impressive college debut with a pair of goals and assist.

The Golden Bears took an early 2-0 scoring on its first two shots by sophomore Jeanmarie Barbato (Huntington Station, NY) and senior Lindsey Fenton (Pelham, MA) before the Pride came back to take a 6-3 halftime lead.

Trailing by six (9-3) with a little less than 19 minutes left in the game, WNEC scored three sraight times to get within three when Fenton tallied the last of her three goals with 9:48 remaining.

Lannan gave the hosts a 10-6 edge with her final goal at the 4:46 mark before senior Heather Dobson (Longmeadow, MA) scored twice in the final 3:43 to complete the scoring. Dobson also had a pair of assists for a four-point afternoon. 

Senior Michelle Thompson (Wilbraham, MA) added a goal and assist for the Golden Bears,

Freshman Liz McRoberts (Bourne, MA) contributed first her collegiate goal while classmate Katie Toomy (Northborough, MA) had an assist for her first collegiate point.

Western New England College sophomore goalie Marissa Bonitatibus (Yorktown Heights, NY) finished with a career high 22 saves in a nice performance.

Her high school teammate, junior Lauren McAulay (Yorktown, N.Y.) stopped five shots (four in the second half) for the Pride.

Also for the Golden Bears, sophomore Nicole Poli (Medfield, MA) had six caused turnovers while freshman Veronica Miano (Southington, CT) had a team high five ground balls.