Lasell Women’s Soccer downs Norwich

NORTHFIELD, Vt. – Lasell College got goals from four different players Wednesday evening as the Lasers defeated Norwich University, 4-1, in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) women's soccer game on Sabine Field at Haynes Family Stadium.

Lasell (10-4-0, 9-0-0 GNAC) scored three unanswered goals to break a 1-1 tie en route to their sixth straight victory over Norwich. The Lasers have won 18 straight games over GNAC opponents dating back to last season.

The Cadets (9-2-4, 6-2-2 GNAC) got a goal from freshman Karyssa Lachance (Gorham, N.H.), but it wasn't enough as NU was eliminated from GNAC playoff contention with the loss.

Lasell opened the scoring in the 13th minute with junior Olivia Austin (Burlington, Mass.) tallying her second goal of the year with a strike into the top right corner of the net off a crossing pass from the right wing by senior Morgan Pinksten (Pelham, N.H.)

Lachance scored in the 18th minute to tie the game back up at 1-1. Lachance curled a shot into the bottom right corner of the net from 20 yards out for her team-leading ninth goal of the season.

Lasell took the lead for good in the 35th minute with freshman Serena Speight (Biddeford, Maine) scoring her fourth goal of the year on a rebound after an initial shot by sophomore Narissa Libby (Gorham, Maine) was saved by NU starting goalie Kim Watt (Lindenhurst, N.Y.). The ball kicked out to Speight at the top of the 18 who scored on an open net with Watt down and out.

Senior Carly Zdanek (Medford, N.J.) scored her team-leading 10th goal of the season on a breakaway after a long over the top ball from classmate Erika Badger (Scituate, Mass.) put her in alone. Zdanek took a few dribbles before slowing down to draw Watt off her line and then firing the ball into the right corner of the net.

Lasell closed the scoring in the 66th minute with an unassisted tally by sophomore Paige Meissner (Sandwich, Mass.) for her second of the season.

Freshman Angela Sanzari (North Haven, Conn.made three saves for Lasell to improve to 8-4 on the year. Watt made 14 saves in the loss.

Lasell is on the road again on Saturday with a visit to the University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) for a noon kickoff. Norwich will close out the GNAC regular season on Saturday when it hosts Suffolk at 3:30 p.m. for its annual Senior Day.

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