Castleton State Takes Down Fitchburg State, 14-10

Burns net four markers in Falcons second NEWLA defeat

FITCHBURG, Mass. (April 20, 2011) – Junior Amanda Burns (Weymouth, Mass./Weymouth) notched a team-high four goals but the Fitchburg State women's lacrosse team fell to NEWLA foe, Castleton State College, 14-10 in conference action this evening.

Freshman Amanda Flodstrom (Stratham, N.H./Exeter) led the Spartans to their third league victory, totaling a game-high six points with four goals and two assists, while senior Marie Van Der Kar (Manchester, Vt./Burr & Burton Academy) added four scores and one helper for five points on the night. Junior Angelica Mazzola (Centerport, N.Y./Harborfields) and freshman Sarah Clark (Guilford, Vt./Brattleboro Union) were also solid with two goals apiece.

For the Falcons, Burns and sophomore Samantha Bonasera (Chelsea, Vt./Chelsea) led the Fitchburg State offense, totaling four points apiece with six combined goals and two assists, while junior Kelly Finamore (Weymouth, Mass./Weymouth) chipped in with a pair of scores.

Castleton State opened the contest with an early 4-0 lead using scores from Clark, Van Der Kar (2) and Flodstrom, but Fitchburg State rallied back quickly as Burns deposited back-to-back markers following a Falcon timeout. Both teams traded scores over the next three minutes of play, but the Spartans extended their lead to four (7-3) as Flodstrom and Mazzola hit home over a 0:36 span. Bonasera broke up the Castleton rally with her 17th marker of the season at the 3:01 mark, but the Spartans closed the period strong, registering a pair of scores for a 9-4 advantage.

In the second half, play remained even with Fitchburg State posting a late rally in the closing minutes. Castleton State dropped back into its possession style offense after opening a 14-7 advantage paced by scores from Van Der Kar (2), Flodstrom (2) and Liz Haggerty (Centerport N.Y./Harborfields), but Fitchburg State did not go quietly, rifling off three consecutive scores to close the contest. Junior Jill Shaner (Arlington, Mass./Arlington) and Finamore started the Falcons surge with goals just three minutes apart, while Bonasera capped the Fitchburg State scoring with just 0:08 left in regulation.

For the contest, Fitchburg State held a 33-24 advantage in shot, but Spartan goaltender Ashley Neal (York Beach, Maine/York) turned away 12 shots to earn her third victory of the season. Senior Becki Duszak (Erieville, N.Y./Cazenovia) came on to spell Neal in the last nine minutes of the contest, posting one save in her efforts, while freshman goaltender Dylana Drolette (Burlington, Vt./Burlington) totaled four stops for the Falcons.

Fitchburg State (10-2, 3-2 NEWLA) will be back in action on Saturday as it hosts Worcester State at 11 a.m. Castleton State (8-3, 3-1 NEWLA) will visit Becker College on Saturday at 1 p.m.