NORTON, Mass. - Despite a game-best six goals from rookie attack Abby Baldwin, the Mount Holyoke College lacrosse team was unable to overcome a strong Wheaton College effort. MHC shouldered a 14-8 loss in the Battle of the Lyons in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) opener for both teams.
Wheaton moves to 3-4 overall, while Mount Holyoke is now 4-3 on the young season. The homestanding Lyons jumped out to an early 3-0 lead, including back-to-back scores from Molly Covarrubias for the three-goal advantage at 21:10 of the opening half.
Mount Holyoke battled back as rookie attack Caroline Flynn scored on the free position, but three more goals, including the third of the contest from Covarrubias saw Wheaton grab a 6-1 lead. Another goal from Flynn helped cut the deficit and Baldwin scored her first on the free position, but MHC went into the half down 7-3.
In the second half of play, Baldwin got things going with her second tally less than three minutes into the frame, but a 6-0 run, including another two from Covarrubias, pushed Wheaton to a 13-4 edge. The final eight minutes belonged to Baldwin, who recorded four goals over that stretch, but the visiting Lyons just couldn't close the gap before time expired.
Wheaton was paced by Covarrubias, who posted five goals on eight shots (6 on goal). She also had a caused turnover. Lilly Callahan added a godl with five ground balls and three caused turnovers, while Kyra Schwartzman had three goals and an assist to go along with three draw controls.
For Mount Holyoke, Baldwin's six goals came on 13 shots (7 on goal). She also notched a ground ball with a game-high seven draw controls. Senior captain Haley Subocz notched a game-high five ground balls and three caused turnovers, while Flynn had two goals, an assist, two ground balls and a draw control.
In goal, Wheaton's Jena Casman earned the win, stopping six shots. For MHC, junior Mia Wysocki shouldered the loss with three shots over 41:26 of action. Sophomore Sophia Brooks-Randall came on for the final 18:34, recording three saves.
Mount Holyoke returns to the turf on Wednesday when it hosts Eastern Connecticut State at 5:30pm.
