Fitchburg State Shoots Past Rhode Island, 14-7

Falcons register third consecutive victory behind Swan's six points

FITCHBURG, Mass. (April 9, 2009) - The Fitchburg State women's lacrosse team registered its third consecutive victory, defeating Rhode Island College, 14-7 in non-conference action this evening.

Fitchburg State junior Emily Swan (Franklin, Mass./Franklin) led all scorers with a game-high six points, posting four goals and two assists, while freshman Amanda Burns (Weymouth, Mass./Weymouth) added three scores and one helper. Sophomore Kaitlyn Kelley (Pepperell, Mass./North Middlesex) was also solid for the Falcons with three tallies and one assist, while junior Tori D'Amato (Hampden, Mass./Merrimack) chipped in with three markers.

Freshman Molly Voyer (Lincoln, R.I./Lincoln) and sophomore Emily Conte (North Providence, R.I./North Providence) paced the Rhode Island attack with six points combined. Voyer notched a team-high two goals and one assist, while Conte added one score and two dishes. Rookie Ashleigh Sullivan (Port Jefferson, N.Y./Comseqogue) was also strong with two goals for the Anchorwomen.

Fitchburg State used a nine goal first half, including a 5-0 run to open the contest, to jump out to an early seven goal lead (9-2). Swan led the Falcons first half shooting with four goals in the frame, while Burns and D'Amato added two apiece. Sullivan and Voyer tallied one goal each for the Anchorwomen.

In the second half, Fitchburg State came out gunning with two unanswered goals to open the period, but Rhode Island battled right back with two consecutive goals by Voyer and Conte to keep the contest at a seven goal deficit. The Anchorwomen continued to answer Fitchburg State's offense with a pair of goals at the 10:22 mark, but freshman goaltender Jillian Shaner (Arlington, Mass./Arlington) and the Falcons defense held off the Rhode Island comeback to secure Fitchburg's fourth victory of the season.

Fitchburg State controlled the offensive tempo with a 35-20 advantage in shots and 14-9 advantage in draw controls. Shaner collected her second victory between the pipes for the Falcons with seven saves in net, while sophomore Hilary Switzer (Woonsocket, R.I./Woonsocket) stopped 12 shots for the Anchorwomen.

Fitchburg State (4-5, 1-2 NEWLA) will be in action again Saturday as it travels to Westfield State College at 1 p.m. Rhode Island (1-8, 0-2 LEC) will host Plymouth State University on Saturday at 1 p.m.

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Fitchburg State 14, Rhode Island 7

Goals:
FIT: Emily Swan (4), Amanda Burns (3), Kaitlyn Kelley (3), Tori D'Amato (3), Kelly Finamore (1);
RIC: Molly Voyer (2), Ashleigh Sullivan (2), Emily Conte (1), Jenna Childs (1), Sherri Heard (1);

Assists:
FIT: Finamore (2), Swan (2), Burns (1), Kelley (1), Carissa Kennedy (1), Danielle Pelletier (1).
RIC: Conte (2), Voyer (1);

Goalkeeping:
FIT: Jill Shaner (60:00), seven saves
RIC: Hilary Switzer (60:00), 12 saves