Springfield, Mass.- April 24, 2021- The Wheaton College women's lacrosse team lost to No. 1 in the region Springfield College,14-11, in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) semifinal play on Saturday afternoon at Stagg Field in Springfield, Mass.

The Lyons were led by senior Casey Kaplan (Suffield, Conn.) who recorded two goals and six ground balls. Junior Darien Webb (Hamden, Conn.)and sophomore Brooke Harvey (Cape Elizabeth, Maine) each netted two apiece as well. Seniors Maggie Dymes (Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y.), Emma Ford (York, Maine) and Danielle Trudeau (West Springfield, Mass.) each had one for the Lyons while Trudeau also tallied three assists. Sophomore Jessie Kilburn (North Branford, Conn.) and first year Avonlea LeBeau (North Branford, Conn.) also scored once in today's match with Kilburn recording three draw controls. 

Senior goalie Jena Casman (Woodbridge, Conn.) made 10 saves on the day after seeing 32 shots total. Sophomore defender Erin Ortega (Merrimack, N.H.) stood out for the Lyons today as she collected six draw controls and caused three turnovers. 

The game was a battle from the start. Springfield opened up the scoring at the 25:49 mark after a transition opportunity. The Lyons responded 45 seconds later on a free-position goal from Harvey and would take a lead in the first half with 23:13 on the clock after LeBeau shook her defender and buried a shot on the run. Springfield responded with a pair of goals from Gabby Fogg and Katie Martel to regain a 3-2 lead with 15:26 remaining in the frame. After Webb jammed in a goal on the crease for the Lyons at 10:10,Taylor Pichel registered a pair of strikes just 36 seconds apart, including a free-position goal with eight minutes on the clock. The Lyons cut it to a one-goal when Ford converted all alone in front of the cage. 

Wheaton seized momentum to start the second, rattling off three-consecutive goals in the opening 4:27, capped off by a man-down goal in transition by Trudeau. The Pride answered back with three goals to regain the lead. Springfield would push its advantage to 11-8 with 11:18 left in regulation when Martel took a feed from Fogg and ripped a shot in the top corner, but Wheaton would not go away quietly, as a free-position goal from Webb capped off a 3-1 burst to make it a 12-11 contest with 2:26 on the clock. 

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