Fitchburg State Tops St. Joseph's, 18-5

Burns paves way for Falcons with a game-high seven points

FITCHBURG, Mass. (March 26, 2009) - Freshman Amanda Burns (Weymouth, Mass./Weymouth) registered a team-high seven points as Fitchburg State collected its first victory of the season with a 18-5 non-conference victory over St. Joseph's College this evening.

AMANDA BURNS

Burns led the Fitchburg State offense with seven goals in the contest and four groundballs, while junior Emily Swan (Franklin, Mass./Franklin) picked a game-best six assists. Junior Tori D'Amato (Hampden, Mass./Merrimack) was also solid with four goals in the game, while freshman Kelly Finamore (Weymouth, Mass./Weymouth) added three points on one score and two helpers.

Sophomore Casey James (Windsor, Conn./Windsor) led the St. Joseph's front line with a team-high three goals, while junior Emily Johnson (Avon, Conn./Avon) and senior Amelia DeDufour (Woodbury, Conn./Woodbury) added one goal apiece.

Fitchburg State jumped out to a commanding 11-2 lead after the first half of play as Burns opened the contest with three consecutive goals. The Falcons increased their lead later in the period, stringing together a four goal rally for a 9-1 advantage. Burns led the charge with two scores, while freshman Kaylee Bergeron (Acushnet, Mass./New Bedford) and D'Amato recorded one goal each.

In the second half, Fitchburg State continued to pressure the St. Joseph's defense, tallying seven goals for an 18-5 victory. The Falcons opened the half with four unanswered goals before closing the match three consecutive scores. Sophomore Tessa Leahy (Cohasset, Mass./Cohasset) and D'Amato led the Fitchburg State production with two goals in the half, while sophomore Danielle Pelletier (Merrimack, N.H./Merrimack) added her second marker of the season.

Fitchburg State dominated the offensive front with a 35-11 advantage in shots and 30-11 advantage in groundballs. Senior goaltender Jen Astrella (Auburn, Mass./Auburn) picked up the victory in net for the Falcons, totaling two saves in 34 minutes of work, while senior Kaylee Sanuccio (Wethersfield, Conn./Wethersfield) stopped ten shots for the Blue Jays.

Fitchburg State (1-3, 0-0 NEWLA) will hit the field again on Saturday as it hosts Worcester State College at 3 p.m. St. Joseph's (0-2, 0-0 GNAC) will travel to Lasell College on Saturday at 3 p.m.

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Fitchburg State 18, St. Joseph's 5

Goals:
FIT: Amanda Burns (7), Tori D'Amato (4), Tessa Leahy (2), Kelly Finamore (1), Danielle Pelletier (1), Kaylee Bergeron (1), Kaitlyn Kelley (1), Lindsay Taylor (1);
STC: Casey James (3), Emily Johnson (1), Amelia DeDufour (1);

Assists:
FIT: Swan (6), Kelly Finamore (2), Carly Campbell (1), Danielle Pelletier (1);
SJC: none;

Goalkeeping:
FIT: Jen Astrella (33:15), two saves; Katie Raymond (26:45), two saves
SJC: Kaylee Sanuccio (60:00), ten saves