SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Sophomore attacker Jeanmarie Barbato (Huntington Station, NY) scored a game-high five goals as the Western New England College women's lacrosse team defeated visiting Mount Holyoke College, 17-9, in its home opener at Golden Bear Stadium Saturday afternoon (March 7).

Ten players scored goals as the Golden Bears evened their record at 1-1.

Freshman midfielder Katie Toomy (Northborough, MA) contributed the first three goals of her college career while senior midfielder Michelle Thompson (Wilbraham, MA) added a pair of goals and an assist.

Mount Holyoke took a 1-0 lead when sophomore attacker Clara Raugei (Alpharetta, GA) scored on a free position shot just 1:28 into the contest.

Barbato netted two goals in a 2:16 span before the Lyons tied the game following a goal by freshman midfielder Alex Crean (West Hartford, CT) at the 14:31 mark.

WNEC then scored seven unanswered goals and took a 12-4 lead into halftime.

Sophomore attacker Marisa Hebert (Saco, ME) had a team high 10 draw controls and netted her fist collegiate goal for the Golden Bears while sophomore defender Nicole Poli (Medfield, MA) had six caused turnovers.

Sophomore goalie Marissa Bonitatibus (Yorktown Heights, NY) (eight saves) and sophomore goalie Erin Doherty (Westford, MA) (five saves) combined to stop 13 shots for the Golden Bears.

Sophomore Missy Hartley (Berthoud, CO) compiled eight saves for the Lyons who were making their season debut.