Fitchburg State Rides Past Rivier, 19-5

Falcons reach two exclusive milestone in convincing non-conference victory

FITCHBURG, Mass. (April 20, 2010) – The Fitchburg State women’s lacrosse team extended its three-game winning streak, defeating Rivier College, 19-5 in non-conference action this evening.

The Falcons used a pair of exclusive milestones to propel past the Raiders as junior Kaitlyn Kelley (Pepperell, Mass./North Middlesex) and sophomore Amanda Burns (Weymouth, Mass./Weymouth) reached the century mark in two separate categories. Kelley notched her 100th career point in the first half of play with a goal at the 20:46 mark, while Burns highlighted her two-year career with her 100th career goal just three minutes later.

In the first half, Fitchburg State raced out to a roaring 11-0 lead, using a consistent offensive attack that notched 19 first half shots. Burns led the Falcons first half scoring with three goals and one assist, while freshman Jamie Kelley (Pepperell, Mass./North Middlesex) and sister Kaitlyn added a trio of markers in the period. Senior Emily Swan (Franklin, Mass./Franklin) paced the Falcons scoring with four assists in the frame, while junior Connie Perry (Reading, Mass./Reading Memorial) and sophomore Carissa Kennedy (Somerset, Mass./Bishop Stang) each added a marker.

The Falcons maintained their offensive momentum for much of the second half, scoring the period’s first four makers to establish a commanding 17-3 lead. Burns added a set of goals to open the period, while K. Kelley and sophomore Gianna Gitto (Leominster, Mass./Saint Bernards) followed with single scores just four minutes later. Freshman Cassandra Benoit (N. Dartmouth, Mass./Dartmouth) kept the Falcons alive down the stretch, posting an unassisted tally at the 16:48 mark, while Gitto closed out the scoring late in the frame with her second goal of the contest.

Fitchburg State controlled the offensive tempo from the beginning of the match, totaling a 27-14 advantage in shots and commanding 19-5 advantage in draw controls. Freshman Abbie Brown (Westwood, Mass./Westwood) picked up her third consecutive victory for the Falcons, totaling four saves in net, while freshman Caliegh Bertolaccini (Chelmsford, Mass./Chelmsford) stopped seven shots for the Raiders.          

Fitchburg State (8-5, 2-2 NEWLA) will be back in action on Saturday as it hosts Bridgewater State at 1 p.m. Rivier concludes its 2010 campaign this season with an overall record of 3-10 and a 2-6 mark in the GNAC.

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Fitchburg State 19, Rivier 5