NEWTON, Mass. (March 9) -- The Lasell College women's lacrosse team picked up their first win of the 2010 season today on Grellier Field, downing the Bison of Nichols College, 16-12.

The Lasers got off to a slow start, falling behind 5-0 before the 10 minute mark, but came back to close the gap to just two goals by halftime. After the break, Lasell knotted the score within the first three minutes and took over the lead eight minutes into the second half. After just one more tie late in the final period, the Lasers regained control of the scoreboard and pulled away for their first season victory.

Nichols sophomore attack Krista-Jean Forand (Plymouth, Mass.) posted a game high-tying six points, also scoring five times and distributing one assist, and fellow sophomore attack Lindsay Gustafson (Pepperell, Mass.) got her shot past the goalie three times for the Bison. Sophomore goalkeeper Mary Michaud (Agawam, Mass,) finished with 19 saves in the Bison's net.

Lasell's junior goalkeeper Kristin Coderre made 14 saves in the game and was tested repeatedly in the final minutes of the game by the pesky Bison who would not leave quietly, but Coderre was outstanding at rejecting their attempts, making six of her 14 saves in that time.

Also giving a standout performance was junior midfielder Tina Canavan who produced a game high-tying six points, scoring five goals and adding an assist. She also controlled the draw four times, made four groundball pickups, and caused three turnovers. Andrea Ward finished the contest with five points, connecting on four goals and dishing one assist, and freshman midfielders Rebecca Stanton and Ashley Slattery each tallied four points, scoring three times and adding a helper each. Slattery also matched six groundballs with six caused turnovers and Stanton controlled the draw seven times while picking up two groundballs. Chelsea Caren also recorded one goal for the victors.

Nichols began their attack when Arianna Perotti (No. Scituate, R.I.) took a scoop shot that trickled past Coderre at 26:53. Emily Yourie (Ellington, Conn.) then increased the Bisons advantage to 2-0, taking the feed from Forand. After Gustafson marked her first tally at 24:04, Forand notched two more goals in a one minute stretch to cap the five-goal run.

After 12 scoreless minutes for both teams, Lasell finally broke the Bison's streak with a four-goal stretch of their own, beginning when Caren scored on a free possession shot at 17:23. Stanton's penalty shot goal followed that, as she took a three step approach and slammed her shot to the high right corner of the cage. Forty seconds later, Ward tore through the middle of the goal box and connected in the high corner once again. A reverse dodge by Slattery allowed her to unite with the net, firing a left-handed shot past Michaud at 11:06, and bringing the score to 5-4.

Two consecutive goals by Forand disolved the Lasers run, but a final score by Canavan ended the half 7-5 in favor of the visitors.

Lasell came out with a renewed energy in the second half, notching their first goal just eight seconds into the period. Canavan won the draw control and fired a pass down field to Ward, who immediately fed Slattery in front of the net for the Lasers sixth goal. Canavan tied the score within two minutes picking up her own rebound and curling around the net to score, while Lasell was man-down. With 26:15 on the clock, Canavan scooped up a ground ball at the midfield and tossed a long pass to Ward who shot from ten yards out to give Lasell the go-ahead.

The Lasers held the advantage for over ten minutes before the Bison rallied for a comeback, tying the score at 10-all after Gustafson tore down field, clearing the ball, and scoring at 15:22.

Lasell retaliated with three more goals over a two minute stretch, including the game-winning goal released by Canavan at 13:02. Lasell would go on to score three more times to Nichols' one goal, sealing the non-conference triumph.

The Bison get right into The Commonwealth Coast Conference action in their home opener Thursday at 4 when Nichols hosts Roger Williams.

Story courtesy Lasell Sports Information

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