For Immediate Release

April 19, 2007

Anchorwomen Hold Off Nichols, 13-10
Gavin Scores Five As Anchorwomen Earn Second Win

DUDLEY, MA—The Rhode Island College women’s lacrosse team earned its second victory of the season this afternoon, holding off Nichols College, 13-10, at Vendetti Field. Senior center Caitlin Gavin (Portsmouth, RI) led the charge for the Anchorwomen with five goals, while freshman attacker Emily Conte (North Providence, RI) registered a season-high four points, including her second collegiate hat trick.

            Rhode Island College showcased a well-balance attack with five student-athletes recording multiple points, paced by Gavin. Junior midfielder Kerry McDevitt (Jamestown, RI) and freshman attacker Meridith Darby (Middletown, RI) each tallied two goals and an assist, while junior attacker Sherri Heard (Coventry, RI) handed out a pair of helpers.

            The Anchorwomen cracked the scoring column just four minutes and 16 seconds into the contest, when McDevitt converted on a free-position shot. The hosts responded with a pair of markers to take its first advantage of the afternoon, but Gavin netted the equalizer just under 10 minutes into regulation.

            Nichols gained its final lead of the contest in the 20th minute, but Rhode Island College erupted for seven straight scores and nine of the final 10 of the frame. Gavin found the back of the net four times during the surge to raise her team-leading goal total to 29, while Darby and Conte each registered two markers apiece as the Anchorwomen headed into the intermission with a commanding 11-4 advantage.

            The hosts opened the second stanza with three unanswered goals to cut the deficit to four with 12:43 remaining in regulation. Conte quelled the surge for the moment, cashing in on an assist from Darby. Nichols scored two lightning-quick goals just 15 seconds apart to whittle the deficit to 12-9.

            Unfazed by the charging Bison, junior defender Sydney Culbertson (North Kingstown, RI) scored her first goal of the season on a free-position shot to give the visitors a late insurance marker.

            Between the pipes, freshman goalie Katie Kielbasinski (Windsor, CT) registered 17 saves, including 12 in the second half, to earn her second victory of the season. It was her second highest save total of the campaign and fifth in double digits.

            Rhode Island College returns to action at noon on Saturday, April 21, when the Anchorwomen host Little East Conference rival Western Connecticut State University. 

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