Fitchburg State Knocks Down Smith, 8-5

Falcons open 2011 season with non-conference victory paced by Burns four goals

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (March 10, 2011) – Junior Amanda Burns (Weymouth, Mass./Weymouth) registered four goals as the Fitchburg State women's lacrosse team opened its 2011 season on a high note, defeating Smith College, 8-5 this afternoon.  

Burns lifted the Falcons with a game-high five points adding one assist to her game-best four markers. Classmate Kelly Finamore (Weymouth, Mass./Weymouth) was also strong with two goals and one helper for three points on the afternoon, while senior Connie Perry (Reading, Mass./Reading Memorial) and junior Jill Shaner (Arlington, Mass./Arlington) rounded out the Falcons attack with one score apiece.

The Falcons used a four goal surge at the end of the first half to break open a tied contest and grab a 6-2 lead at the break. Smith got on the board first as freshman Becky Bracken netted her first collegiate goal, but the Falcons answered immediately as Perry and Burns tallied back-to-back markers for a 2-1 edge.

The Pioneers responded at the 18:43 mark, using a goal by Alyssa Bobe to knot the score (2-2), but Fitchburg State went ahead for good with their four goal surge late in the period. Burns and Finamore sparked the Falcon rally, alternating strikes over the final 15 minutes of the frame.

Smith opened the second half strong, recording a pair of goals within the first eight minutes of the stanza, but Fitchburg State controlled possession for the final 15 minutes of the contest to earn its first victory of the season. Shaner added an insurance marker for the Falcons with 12:33 left in regulation, while Burns completed the Fitchburg State scoring with a goal just five minutes later.

Fitchburg State controlled the offensive front, posting a 23-18 advantage in targets, while Smith held a slim lead in groundballs with a 21-19 advantage. Freshman Dylana Drolette (Burlington, Vt./Burlington) made six saves between the pipes in her first collegiate start for Fitchburg State, while Alina Pechacek (five saves ) and Meredith Kallfelz (three saves) split time in goal for the Pioneers

Fitchburg State (1-0, 0-0 NEWLA) will be back in action on March 22nd as it travels to Rivier College at 4 p.m. Smith (0-1, 0-0 NEWMAC) will travel to West Palm Beach, Fla. on March 14th to face Gordon College at 4 p.m.