THE MATCHUP: Mount Holyoke rounds out its regular season with a pivitol match against Springfield College Saturday afternoon (1:00 p.m.) at the Turf Field. At stake is homefield advantage for the Quarterfinal Round of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Tournament. In 25 previous meetings between the programs, the Pride own a 17-7 advantage. The teams have finished in a deadlock once. Last fall, the Lyons downed Springfield 2-1 in overtime. It was their first win over the Pride since the 2004 season. Match Program | Senior Day Insert
THE LYONS: Mount Holyoke (10-5, 4-3 NEWMAC) has rolled to five straight victories, including three straight in league play. The Lyons have been paced by forwards Shara Robertson and Stephanie Slysz. Robertson has piled up 33 points on 15 goals and three assists. Five of her tallies have gone down as winners, and she recorded her third hat trick of the year in her team's 4-2 triumph over the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth on Wednesday. After a slow start to her career, Slysz has erupted for seven goals during the month of October. She notched winners in Mount Holyoke's victories over Nichols College and Clark University. Slysz has totaled eight goals and three assists. The Lyons have also received a boost from forward Jess Fajardo, who has posted four goals and three assists. Meanwhile, midfielder Tricia Chase has added three goals and three assists. On the defensive end, goalkeeper Katie Gibson has recorded a goals against average of 1.22 and a save percentage of .829. The junior has collected five shutouts.
THE PRIDE: Springfield (8-9, 4-3 NEWMAC) has suffered three straight setbacks after opening the season with an overall record of 8-6. After falling 4-0 at Trinity College, the Pride dropped a 3-0 decision at Babson College. They were then downed 4-0 by Tufts University on Tuesday. Springfield has been led by forward Kelly Gallo, who has amassed 22 points on nine goals and four assists. Two of her tallies have gone down as match winners. Fellow forwards Alexa Carlson and Meghan McHugh have collected five goals apiece, and Carlson's nine helpers are good for tops on the team. Springfield has also received solid production from midfielder Kayla Sokol, who has dished out five assists to go with a goal. Midfielder Liz Hurley and defender Amy Dean have chipped in with three tallies apiece. Alison McCarthy has been the featured goalkeeper for the Pride. In 1170 minutes played, she has posted a goals against average of 2.39 and a save percentage of .795. Two of her wins have been shutouts.
NEXT UP: The winner of this contest will earn the fourth seed in next week's NEWMAC Tournament. If Mount Holyoke comes out on top, it will host Springfield on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. The Lyons will travel to Springfield on Tuesday if they fall in this match and Clark University downs Wellesley College. If both Springfield and Wellesley prevail, Mount Holyoke will visit Wheaton College on Tuesday.
