North Adams, MA – Junior attack Anne Risler (Albany, NY/Academy of the Holy Names) scored four goals to lead The Sage Colleges to a 12-10 non-league women's lacrosse win at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Thursday night at Shewcraft Field. The Gators won for the first time in the young season and are now 1-2, while MCLA is 0-2.
Sage got three goals from junior midfielder Brittany Gage (Pine Bush, NY/Pine Bush) and two scores from sophomore attack Sophia Pierce (Scotia, NY/Scotia-Glenville) and freshman defender Kerry McKeown (Glenville, NY/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake). Sophomore attack Alex Franco (Ballston Spa, NY/Ballston Spa) also scored for the Gators. Franco added three assists. Sophomore Marina Azab (Niskayuna, NY/Niskayuna) made five saves in 30 minutes in the Sage net while sophomore Carly Plaisance (Bennington, VT/Mount Anthony Union) also played a half and made six stops while earning the win.
Kim Granito led the Trailblazers with six goals, and Brianna Morris scored twice. Nataeja Forte and Ciera Downing scored once each while Shannon Prouty made 12 saves for the hosts.
Sage led 7-5 at halftime. Risler scored with 10:19 left to break an 8-8 tie and give Sage the lead for good, as the Gators led by as many as four (12-8) with 5:42 left in the second half. Sage outshot MCLA, 31-28 and also had a 31-22 ground ball advantage. MCLA won 13 of the 24 draw controls and Sage converted four of the eight free position attempts.
The Gators will host Elms College on Tuesday, March 19 at 6:30 p.m. at ACP Field. MCLA is at Becker Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
