SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (March 5, 2024) – The Western New England women's lacrosse team was defeated on the road on a rainy Tuesday evening from Stagg Field at Springfield College, as the Pride would outscore the Golden Bears 5-0 in the third quarter and 8-2 in the second half to push the Pride past WNE 15-6.

Records:

• Western New England: 0-3
• Springfield College: 4-0

How it Happened:

The Golden Bears found themselves down early in the first quarter after Springfield College would grab the first caused turnover of the game and capitalize on it for their first goal of the game when Lily Johnson found the back of the net, giving Springfield a 1-0 lead. The Golden Bears would come back with a goal of their own while a player up when their leading goal scorer, Ally Ferraro, netted WNE's opening goal of the game, quickly tying the score. Springfield would waste little time getting the lead back, scoring 27 seconds after the Golden Bears had tied the game, seeing the Pride now go ahead 2-1. Springfield would gain some momentum when Samantha Andresen and Maddie Roy combined for back-to-back goals to lift the Pride to a 4-1 lead. The hosts had chances to continue to extend their lead had it not been for the play of WNE's Faith Graveline, who turned out two saves in the opening quarter. Lyndsey Bunnell would score Western New England's second man-up of the night with 2:54 left in the second quarter, which cut the Pride's lead to just two after one quarter of play. Western New England was 2/5 in clears in the quarter while turning the ball over six times.

Springfield College opened the second quarter with their fifth goal of the night, though it would quickly be answered with a goal from WNE's Mariella Biceglia on an assist from Mia Celentano. The first free position goal of the night would belong to the Golden Bears, though not before the Pride would jump ahead by three goals again with 5:36 to play in the quarter. Mia Celenano would score Western New England's free position goal with 20 seconds to play in the quarter, though Springfield College would control the ensuing draw and fire home a shot with three seconds remaining in the quarter to take a 7-4 lead at the break. Springfield would outshoot WNE 10-6 in the quarter, with both goalkeepers making two saves each in the frame.

The Pride turned up the pressure on Western New England early and often in the third quarter, as the Golden Bears had no answers for the Pride's five goals in the quarter, which resulted in the home team taking a 12-4 lead after three quarters of play. Western New England would only take two shots in the quarter while turning the ball over seven times, their most out of any quarter on the night.

WNE would see Springfield take a ten-goal lead for the first time in the game with 8:19 to play in the fourth quarter when Lilly Vey notched a free-position goal for the Pride, giving Springfield a 14-4 lead. The Golden Bears would try to build momentum when Ally Ferraro dished home another goal, though it would not be enough as Springfield College would defend their home field and take down the Golden Bears by a final score of 15-6.

Inside the Lines:

• Western New England sees Springfield College get their revenge over the Golden Bears after defeating the Pride last season at Golden Bear Stadium.
• Ally Ferraro would score two goals for Western New England, while Mia Celentano would collect a goal and an assist in the game.
• The Golden Bears won 14 of 24 draw controls in the contest, led by Ella Henry, who had eight victories.
• WNE turned the ball over 24 times in the game while picking up eight caused turnovers on Springfield's 18 total turnovers.
• Faith Graveline made nine saves in the losing effort.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• WNE will look to shake off the loss by welcoming Keene State to Golden Bear Stadium on Thursday, March 7 at 4:00 PM.