SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (March 15, 2012) – Sophomore Brianne Phelan racked up a career-best six points to lead the Mount Holyoke College lacrosse team to a 17-14 triumph over Western New England University this afternoon at the Turf Field. In addition to recording her second career hat trick, the midfielder also dished out a career-high three assists. With the win, the Lyons improved to 3-0 on the year. It was their first victory over the Golden Bears since the 2006 season.

First year midfielder Kirsten Kilburn enjoyed an outstanding all-around game for the hosts, collecting four goals, five draw controls, four caused turnovers and four ground balls. The rookie has now scored three goals or more in each of her first three collegiate outings.

Mount Holyoke also received a boost from junior Molly Macdonald, who posted her second hat trick in a row. Sophomore attacker Liz Randolph came up with 10 draw controls, while senior attacker Alex Crean added two goals and an assist.

Western New England was paced  by senior midfielder Katie Toomy, who piled up two goals, three assists, five ground balls and three caused turnovers. Fellow midfielders Megan Doyle and Jessica Scannapieco registered four goals and one assist apiece. Meanwhile, sophomore Kelly Sherman totaled three goals and two assists.

Kilburn scored three of her four goals in the first half, as the Lyons built a 9-4 advantage. They led 12-5 after a Randolph tally 6:24 into the second stanza, but the Golden Bears clawed their way back into the contest with a 5-1 run over the next seven minutes. Doyle sparked the rally with three goals. Her third sliced the deficit to 13-10 at the 16:11 mark.

After the teams traded goals, Mount Holyoke regained control with back-to-back goals by Phelan and Kilburn. Kilburn's fourth tally extended the cushion to 16-11 with just over 10 minutes remaining in regulation.

Toomy found the back of the net to cut the lead to 16-14 at the 4:04 mark, but junior attacker Christina Horimoto answered with her second goal of the day at the other end to put things out of reach.

Mount Holyoke finished with an overwhelming 22-11 edge in draw controls.

Junior Jamie Theophilos got the start between the pipes for the Lyons. She came up with a career-best 14 saves over the first 47:22 before giving way to junior Liz Malenfant. Malenfant preserved the win with three saves down the stretch.

At the other end, first year Emily Castleman made 11 stops for the Golden Bears, who finished with a 39-36 advantage in the shot column.

Both squads are scheduled for spring break trips next week. Mount Holyoke (3-0, 0-0 NEWMAC) will travel to Colorado for games against Colorado College and Carthage College. Meanwhile, Western New England (3-3, 0-0 CCC) will face off against Western Connecticut State University and Virginia Wesleyan College in Florida.