SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (March 7, 2012) – Led by senior attacker Alex Crean, the Mount Holyoke College lacrosse team kicked off its 2012 campaign with a 15-12 triumph over Westfield State University this afternoon at the Turf Field. The captain finished with three goals and an assist for the Lyons, who improved to 4-0 all-time against the Owls. It was her first career hat trick.

Mount Holyoke also received a boost from first year midfielder Kirsten Kilburn, who recorded a hat trick in her collegiate debut. Sophomore attacker Liz Randolph finished with four points on two goals and a pair of assists while piling up five draw controls. Meanwhile, junior Molly Macdonald, senior Hilary Bombard, and sophomore Naomi Miller chipped in with two goals apiece.

Senior midfielder Carly Keeley erupted for four goals, one assist and six draw controls to set the tone for Westfield State. The Owls also received outstanding production from junior attacker Maura Stack, who dished out two assists to go with a hat trick.

Mount Holyoke exploded out of the gate, scoring four unanswered goals over the first 9:07 of the contest. The Lyons enjoyed a 6-2 cushion after Crean's second tally at the 14:53 mark of the opening period, but Westfield State answered with three straight goals to slice the deficit to 6-5 at the break.

After the Owls knotted things up at 7-7 on a goal by senior attacker Nicole DiPilato five minutes into the second half, Mount Holyoke regained momentum with four straight tallies over the next four minutes. Kilburn found the back of the net twice during the run. Her third goal of the day put the hosts in front 11-7 at the 20:58 mark.

Refusing to go away, Westfield State clawed its way back into the game with a 5-1 spurt over the next nine minutes. Keeley's fourth goal of the day capped off the rally and tied things up at 12-12 with 11:33 remaining in regulation.

From there, it was all Mount Holyoke. Macdonald scored what proved to be the winner off an assist from Randolph 20 seconds later. Miller and junior Christina Horimoto then tacked on insurance goals down the stretch, as the Lyons pulled away.

Junior goalkeeper Jamie Theophilos earned the win with a nine-save effort for the hosts. At the other end, junior Jill Robinson and first year Hannah Joyce came up with three stops apiece. Robinson got the start for the Owls but was forced to leave at the half due to an injury. The guests finished with a 27-24 advantage in the shot column.

Mount Holyoke (1-0, 0-0 NEWMAC) will return to action on Saturday, when it visits Roger Williams University at 3:30 p.m. Meanwhile, Westfield State (0-1, 0-0 NEWLA) will make the trip to Morrisville State College next Friday at 4:30 p.m.