NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (March 2, 2024) -  The Western New England women's lacrosse team fell in their first road contest of the season, dropping a close 11-7 decision to the Pioneers of Smith College on Saturday afternoon.

Records:

• Western New England: 0-2
• Smith College: 2-1

How it Happened:

The Golden Beats recorded the first goal of the game after getting the Pioneers to commit their first turnover of the game. WNE would race to goal and see Ally Ferraro net the first goal of the afternoon for the visitors. Smith would quickly comeback with a goal of their own just 1:45 later to even the scoring. The teams would go back-and-forth in scoring as Ferraro would be back on the scoreboard again with 8:49 left to play in the opening quarter on an assist from Megan Spedaliere, giving the Golden Bears a 2-1 lead. Smith would fire off five straight goals from there to end the first quarter, as the Pioneers came away with a 6-2 lead after 15 minutes of play. The Golden Bears saw GK Faith Graveline record three saves in the opening frame.

Needing to get back on the scoreboard to open the second quarter, Western New England saw sophomore Ella Henry take matters into her own hands, coming away with her first career collegiate goal while a player up, which stopped Smith's goal streak while putting Western New England down by three at 6-3. Smith would grow their lead to six goals, coming away with three goals in the frame that gave the hosts a 9-3 lead. The Golden Bears would turn the ball over seven times in the second half, costly seeing the Pioneers take the six-goal lead into the break. WNE would go 8/11 in opening half clears while scooping just five ground balls to Smith's 19.

Mia Celentano opened the scoring in the third quarter for Western New England, firing home a free-position attempt that put the fourth goal of the afternoon on the board. Smith would come around and score the next two goals, growing their lead to the largest it has been on the afternoon, standing at 11-4, a seven-goal lead. WNE would build some momentum late in the third quarter, coming away with the last two goals of the frame when Ally Ferraro netted her hat trick goal while Lina Eves scored her first goal of the season, which sank Smith's lead to now a five-goal lead after 45 minutes of play. The hosts were a perfect 6/6 on clears, while WNE continued to struggle managing the ball, turning over the ball six times.

Megan Spedaliere would be the lone goal scorer in the entire final 15 minutes of play, scoring just 33 seconds into the fourth quarter, though that would be all on the afternoon for Western New England. The Golden Bears would play lockdown defense on Smith in an attempt to get back in the game, though key saves down the stretch from Smith's Shannon Houtenville in net would help Smith take down Western New England by a final score of 11-7, Smith's first victory over the Golden Bears in the last five matchups.

Inside the Lines:

• Ally Ferraro led Western New England with three goals on the afternoon, taking ten shots, placing nine on goal.
• The Golden Bears turned the ball over 19 times in the game while causing seven turnovers themselves. Melissa Shanteler and Emmy Burns both recorded two CTs each.
• The two teams split draw controls, winning 11 each. Both teams would also go 1/4 on free position attempts.
• Faith Graveline would make 15 saves for Western New England in the losing effort.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• The Golden Bears are back in action on Tuesday, March 5, at 5:00 p.m., taking on Springfield College on the road.