FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 2, 2008

RIC WOMEN’S LACROSSE DROPS LEC OPENER

North Dartmouth, MA.-The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth’s women’s lacrosse team scored the final six goals of the first half, took a 9-3 halftime lead, and went on to defeat visiting Rhode Island College, 14-8, in the 2008 Little East Conference opener for both teams at Cressy Field on Wednesday afternoon.

UMD senior attacker Marie Spang (Wakefield, MA) broke the tie by scoring three consecutive goals in a span of 2:40. Her first goal, with 7:17 left in the first half, gave the Corsairs the lead for good, and her next two goals, both assisted by senior attacker Susie Nearhoof (Frederick, MD), gave UMass Dartmouth a 6-3 lead with 4:37 left in the first half. Sophomore midfielder Kara Basque (Plainville, MA), Spang and sophomore midfielder Allison Trearchis (Tyngsboro, MA) scored to make it 9-3 at the intermission.

RIC sophomore attack Emily Conte (North Providence, RI) scored 5:02 into the second half, but the Corsairs got a pair of goals from freshman midfielder Larissa Basque (Plainville, MA) and one each from Trearchis and freshman attacker Samantha Watson (Lowell, MA) to lead, 13-4, with 12:52 remaining

Spang finished with seven goals and one assists for UMass Dartmouth. Her seven goals were one short of the Corsair record of eight goals in a game held by assistant coach and former star attacker Katelyn Elliott (Lowell, MA). Trearchis and Basque each scored twice, and Nearhoof and sophomore midfielder Gillian Carey (Waltham, MA) each had three assists.

Conte and senior midfielder Kerry McDevitt (Jamestown, RI) each scored twice for RIC, and McDevitt added two assists. UMass Dartmouth outshot the Anchorwomen, 29-28. Senior goalkeeper Erin Doherty (West Newbury, MA) made 13 saves for the Corsairs, while freshman goalie Hilary Switzer (Woonsocket, RI) made 12 for RIC.

The Corsairs improved to 3-1 and 1-0 in the Little East Conference with the victory, while the Anchorwomen dropped to 0-5 and 0-1 with the defeat. UMass Dartmouth will return to action when they host Eastern Connecticut State next Thursday, April 10^th, while Rhode Island College will host Keene State on Saturday at 1 p.m.

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