DUDLEY, Mass. (Oct. 4, 2011) – Using a balanced attack, the Mount Holyoke College field hockey team rolled to a 4-0 triumph over Nichols College this evening at Vendetti Field. With the win, the Lyons snapped a two-match slide and improved to 6-3 on the year. They were paced by first year midfielder Kirsten Kilburn, who collected a goal and an assist.
Kilburn connected with classmate Christine Ianni less than eight minutes into the contest to put Mount Holyoke in front 1-0. After receiving a pass from the corner, she sent the ball to Ianni on the post. Ianni proceeded to maneuver around first year goalkeeper Molly Melanson and slip in her sixth goal of the year.
The Lyons scored three more times in the second half to put things away.
Sophomore forward Stephanie Slysz one-timed a cross from first year midfielder Aurora Rougeau to push the lead to 2-0 at the 41:32 mark.
Four minutes later, senior forward Jess Fajardo corralled a loose ball and beat Melanson from point blank range to put the Lyons ahead 3-0. It was her ninth tally of the fall.
Kilburn capped off the scoring in the 65th minute, when she blasted a shot past Melanson from just inside the circle. The midfielder has totaled 18 points on six goals and six assists over the first nine collegiate contests.
Mount Holyoke finished with overwhelming advantages in both shots (33-5) and corners (13-3). Senior goalkeeper Katie Gibson needed to stop just one shot to earn her second shutout of the year and 14th of her career. As a team, the Lyons posted three shutouts this fall.
Melanson made 14 saves for the Bison (5-4, 1-1 TCCC).
Mount Holyoke (6-3, 2-1 NEWMAC) will resume its NEWMAC slate on Saturday, when it hosts Babson College at 1:00 p.m.
