SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (March 24, 2012) – The Mount Holyoke College lacrosse team fell 15-8 to Wellesley College despite three goals from junior attacker Molly Macdonald this afternoon at the Turf Field. It was the NEWMAC opener for both squads.

MacDonald's hat trick was her fourth of the year. In the process, she ran her season goal total to 18. The Lyons also received a boost from first year midfielder Kirsten Kilburn, who posted two goals and five draw controls. Senior midfielder Hilary Bombard found the back of the net twice, while sophomore midfielder Brianne Phelan chipped in with a goal and two assists. Senior attacker Alex Crean added two assists and three ground balls to round things out for the hosts.

Wellesley was paced by first year attacker Claire Canty, who piled up six points on four goals and a pair of assists. Classmate Nathalie Gruet collected three goals, one assist and three ground balls, while sophomore attacker Brit Mscisz came up with two goals and a helper. Midfielders Meredith Roy and Allison Robbins added two strikes apiece for the Blue .

After a Macdonald tally knotted things up at 6-6 at the 21:31 mark the second half, Wellesley exploded for six straight goals and never looked back. Gruet and Mscisz each scored twice during the rally, which spanned ten minutes. Mount Holyoke sliced the deficit to five on two occasions down the stretch but could get no closer.

Sophomore Tya Logan finished with 10 saves in her first collegiate start between the pipes for the Blue. At the other end, junior Jamie Theophilos turned away four shots for the hosts.
 
Mount Holyoke (4-2, 0-1 NEWMAC) will return to action on Wednesday, when it visits Eastern Connecticut State University at 4:30 p.m. Meanwhile, Wellesley (2-5, 1-0 NEWMAC) will host New England College on Thursday at 4:30 p.m.