Mount Holyoke Blasts Husson in ECAC Semifinals, 20-7
| Tournament Bracket | Tournament History
PLYMOUTH, N.H. (May 15, 2010) – Using a balanced scoring attack, the top seeded Mount Holyoke College women’s lacrosse team raced to a convincing 20-7 triumph over fourth seeded Husson University in the Semifinal Round of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III New England Championship today at Plymouth State University’s Arold Field.
With the win, the Lyons advanced to the ECAC Championship for the first time in program history. They will face off against third seeded Keene State College (13-5, 5-1 LEC), which outlasted the host Panthers 12-8 in the first Semifinal of the day. Mount Holyoke edged the Owls 17-15 during its spring break trip in West Palm Beach, Fla. earlier this year (March 17). The Lyons are perfect in three all-time meetings between the programs. They came out on top 13-12 in both 2008 and 2009.
Mount Holyoke’s 11 wins thus far this season are its most since 1994, when it recorded a program record 13 under the direction of longtime head coach Mike Hyer. This is the Lyons third trip to the ECAC Tournament. They also took part in both 1993 and 1994.
Ten players scored goals for Mount Holyoke (11-6, 3-3 NEWMAC), which finished with large advantages in both shots (44-26) and draw controls (17-12).
Leading the way was senior Perry Markell, who exploded for a season best six points. The midfielder posted a hat trick for the tenth time this spring and also dished out a season high three assists. She finished the day with 12 draw controls.
First year Lindsay Kanno piled up a career best four tallies to go with a helper. Meanwhile, senior midfielder Peggy Wefald found the back of the net three times and assisted once. Sophomore midfielder Hilary Bombard was the fourth Lyon to register a hat trick.
Third year head coach Miriam Esber’s squad currently leads the nation in draw controls per game with 19.00. Their 248 goals and 323 draw controls are both program single season highs. Over the course of the year, they have strung together three consecutive victories on two occasions.
Husson was paced by first year midfielder Meghan O’Neill, who netted three goals. Junior attacker Caitlyn Butterfield scored once and collected seven draw controls. The Eagles remaining goals came from three different players.
Mount Holyoke struck for the first three goals of the afternoon and led 11-1 at the break. Bombard led the way with tree first half tallies. The Lyons then outscored Husson 9-6 after the intermission to put things away. This time, Markell accounted for three goals.
Senior Jessica Brezicha got the start between the pipes for the Lyons. She made six saves in the opening frame before giving way to sophomore Jeanmarie Petersen, who stopped one shot in the second half. At the other end, first year Kristen Capen came up with 10 saves for Husson (11-3-1, 6-0 NAC).
2010 ECAC Division III New England Championship
Semifinals – Saturday, May 15 at Plymouth State University
#3 Keene State College def. #2 Plymouth State University, 12-8
#1 Mount Holyoke College def. #4 Husson University, 20-7
Championship – Sunday, May 16 at Plymouth State University
#3 Keene State College vs. #1 Mount Holyoke College, 1:00 p.m.