Fitchburg State Soars Past Elms, 16-2

Apple registers six points in Falcons first victory of the season

Chicopee, Mass. (March 28, 2013) – The Fitchburg State women's lacrosse team collected its first victory of the 2013 campaign, defeating Elms College, 16-2 in non-non-conference action this afternoon at Leary Field.

The Falcons receive a strong offensive output from junior Markie Apple (Pittsfield, Mass./Taconic) who tallied a game-best six points on four scores and two assists, while sophomore Lindsey White (Hanover, Mass./Hanover) posted four points on three markers and one dish. Seniors Jessica Bartlett (Marlborough, Mass./Marlborough) and Kristin Dooley (Salem, Mass./Salem) and junior Chelsea Roberts (Newburyport, Mass./Newport) were also solid adding two goals each.

Fitchburg State erupted for 11 first half goals en-route to its first victory on the season. The Falcons opened an early 8-0 lead in the first 14 minutes of play using a pair of tallies from White and Roberts before closing the half with another three scores from Bartlett and a pair off the stick of Apple to take a commanding 12-0 lead into the break.

In the second half, the Green and Gold continued its offensive charge as Dooley and White connected on back-to-back scores before Elms got on the board with a goal from sophomore Lauren Mazza (Agawam, Mass./Agawam) at the 24:33 mark but the Falcons answered with three more scores from Apple, junior Erin Murphy (Warwick, R.I./Warwick Memorial) and sophomore Jessica Sullivan (Milton, Mass./Milton) to put the game to rest.

Fitchburg State held a 29-22 advantage in shots and a narrow 11-9 margin in draw controls, while the Blazers registered 25 ground balls including a game-high seven by junior Brianna Lyons (Canton, Mass./Canton). In net, freshman Elizabeth Darrigo (Billerica, Mass./Billerica Memorial) earned her first collegiate victory, making seven first half saves for the Falcons, while sophomore Alysha Parsons (Newington, Conn./Newington) suffered the setback, stopping five shots for Elms.

Fitchburg State (1-2, 0-0 MASCAC) returns to action on Saturday as it hosts the Bears of Bridgewater State at 11 a.m. (Game to be played at Franklin Pierce University) Elms (1-5, 0-0 NEWLA) will host Anna Maria College on Tuesday at 4 p.m.