MANSFIELD, Conn. (March 28, 2012) – The Mount Holyoke College lacrosse team fell 12-9 to Eastern Connecticut State University this afternoon at the Mansfield Sports Complex despite a furious comeback in the latter stages of the second half. After falling behind 10-4, the Lyons reeled off four straight goals to slice the deficit to 10-8 with 7:25 remaining in regulation. With their backs against the wall, the Warriors responded with two unanswered strikes at the other end and never looked back.

Junior attacker Molly Macdonald recorded her fifth hat trick of the year to set the tone for Mount Holyoke. The Lyons also received a boost from first year midfielder Kirsten Kilburn, who scored twice and added five draw controls. Sophomore midfielder Brianne Phelan found the back of the net two times, while classmate Annabel Barrett secured five ground balls.

Eastern Connecticut State was paced by senior attacker Ashley Prizio, who erupted for four goals and two assists. Junior midfielder Daniela Marchitto finished with three goals and three assists. Meanwhile, sophomore midfielder Ashley Wolk added a pair of tallies.

The Warriors took control of the game with five unanswered goals in a span of ten minutes in the early stages of the second half. Marchitto sparked the run with three goals of her own. Her third put the hosts in front 10-4 with just over 16 minutes remaining in regulation.

Refusing to go away, Mount Holyoke clawed its way back into the contest with consecutive tallies by Kilburn, sophomore midfielder Naomi Miller, senior attacker Alex Crean and Macdonald.

Eastern Connecticut put an end to the rally on a goal by Wolk at the 6:50 mark. Prizio then scored three minutes later to put things out of reach.

Senior Kristianna Ibsen went the distance between the pipes for the Warriors, making six saves. At the other end, junior Liz Malenfant turned away six shots for the Lyons.

Mount Holyoke (4-3, 0-1 NEWMAC) will look to rebound on Saturday, when it visits MIT for a NEWMAC showdown beginning at 1:00 p.m.