HENNIKER, N.H. – Mount Holyoke College sophomore Julia Bell (Longmeadow, Mass.) exploded for a career-high nine goals and dished out four assists leading the Lyons past the New England College Pilgrims 21-7 in women's lacrosse action Saturday afternoon.
The win is the first of the season for the Lyons who improve to 1-2 overall, while the Pilgrims are now 0-1 overall.
The two teams would exchange goals in the opening minute of the game before the Lyons would net four straight goals, including three byjunior captain Kirsten Kilburn (North Branford, Conn.) to go up 5-1 just six minutes into play.
Mount Holyoke would continue their offensive dominance over the next ten minutes as the Lyons would out score the Pilgrims 7-4 extending their lead to 12-5 with just over 11 minutes left to play in the opening half. The Pilgrims defense would battle late in the half holding the Lyons to no goals in the final 11:22 of the half as Mount Holyoke would head into halftime with the 12-5 advantage.
The Pilgrims would score the first goal of the second half thanks to Eleni Hatsis (Norwalk, Conn.) but the Lyons would answer outscoring the Pilgrims 9-1 over the remainder of the half eventually cruising to the 2107 victory.
In addition to Bell the Lyons were led by Kilburn who finished with seven goals and two 
assists and senior Liz Randolph (Southbury, Conn.) would netted three goals on the afternoon.
NEC's Jacquelyn Lane (Scituate, Mass.) scored twice for the Pilgrims, while Emily Bamberger (Brimfield, Mass.) recorded two goals and dished out an assist.
Mount Holyoke finished the game with the 35-14 advantage in shots and the clear 23-7 advantage in draw controls.
Picking up the win in net for Mount Holyoke was Isa Rodriguez (Columbus, Ohio), who finished with four saves. NEC's Kelly Metz (Liberty Township, Ohio) stopped three Lyon shots, while Kelsi Orcutt (Hanover, Mass.) recorded six saves in 43 minutes of work.
NEC returns to action on Saturday, March 15 when they travel to take on non-conference opponent Wellesley College. Mount Holyoke will take the field again on Tuesday, March 11 when it opens its home schedule against non-conference foe Western New England University.
Release courtesy of New England College Sports Information.
