Nichols Paces Past Fitchburg State, 16-7

Finamore notches a game-high five points in Falcons non-conference loss to Bison

FITCHBURG, Mass. (April 17, 2012) – The Fitchburg State women's lacrosse team suffered a non-conference setback to Nichols College this evening, falling 16-7 at Elliot Field.

Nichols unleashed a nine goal attack in the first half, opening a four goal lead at the break (9-5) behind a pair of goals from Alyssa Bufis (Linden, N.J./Morristown-Beard) and Grace Murphy (Montclair, Va./Forest Park). Both teams traded scores over the first seven minutes of play, but the Bison began to open their lead, using a six goal run to notched an 8-2 advantage with 8:29 remaining in the period. Bufis paced the rally with two scores, while Murphy, Krista-Jean Forand (Plymouth, Mass./Hebron Academy), Chelsea Shaughnessy (Halifax, Mass./Silver Lake Regional), and Emily Yourie (Ellington, Conn./Ellington) all collected goals.

Fitchburg State rallied towards the end of the frame, using a 3-1 run to close out the half. Senior Kelly Finamore (Weymouth, Mass./Weymouth) ignited the rally with her 31st goal of the year, while junior Jessica Bartlett (Marlborough, Mass./Marlborough) and freshman Lindsey White (Hanover, Mass./Hanover) added tallies with helpers from Finamore.

In the second half, Fitchburg State came out gunning, scoring two goals in the opening three minutes to cut the Nichols lead to just two (9-7). The Bison defense regrouped however, holding the Falcons scoreless for the remainder of the period, while the Nichols offense went to work. Shaughnessy, Forand and Erica Antonison (Albertson, N.Y./Mineola) kick started the Bison seven goal surge with a trio of scores midway through the period, while Bufis, Yourie and freshman Sarah MacMillan (Bridgewater, Mass./Bridgewater-Raynham) tallied the final four goals to seal the win for Nichols.

For the contest, Nichols out-shot Fitchburg Sate 35-23, while posting a commanding 16-9 margin in draw controls. The Falcons did hold a 24-20 advantage in groundballs with sophomore Markie Apple (Pittsfield, Mass./Taconic) and junior Kristin Dooley (Salem, Mass./Salem ) leading the way with five each, but Nichols countered with 11 caused turnovers to keep possession in its favor.

In net, sophomore Dylana Drolette (Burlington, Vt./Burlington) collected nine saves in her complete game effort for Fitchburg State, while senior goalkeeper Danielle Mott (Cranston, R.I./Cranston West) stopped nine shots for the Bison. On the offensive end, Finamore led all scorers with a game-high five points ,posting two goals and three assists for the hosts, while Bufis and Forand led the Nichols attack with three goals apiece.

Fitchburg State (5-8, 3-2 NEWLA) will be back in action on Thursday as it hosts Becker College at 7 p.m. Nichols (6-7, 1-5 TCCC) will host Rhode Island College on Thursday at 7 p.m.