The New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference

WELLESLEY, MA - Sophomore Colette Whitaker (Great Falls, Va.) tallied a career-high eight points, with seven goals and one assist, to lead the Blue to a 13-7 win over Smith in the first round of the NEWMAC Lacrosse Tournament. The win lifts the Blue to 9-7 on the season. The Pioneers end their season at 5-10.

The win advances Wellesley to the semi-finals on Saturday, May 3, at 2:30 at Babson College. The Blue will face the winner of tonight's Mount Holyoke-Springfield game.

Wellesley jumped out to an early lead in this afternoon's contest, as Briana Roberge (Bow, NH), and Molly Morrow (Bow, N.H.) scored back-to-back goals in the less than five minutes into the game to give the Blue a 2-0 ladvantage. Wellesley extended its lead to 4-0, with Whitaker's first two goals of the game, the second with 16:59 remaining in the half.

Smith bounced back with four consecutive goals to tie the game, with two scores from Sara Smyth (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and one each from Caitlin Kennedy (South Hadley, Mass.) and Carolyn Whiting (South Orange, N.J.). But Wellesley's Whitaker responded with two more goals before the horn, giving the Blue a 6-4 lead at the break.

The Pioneers opened the second half with two quick goals to tie the game once again, as both Kennedy and Smyth found the back of the net in the first five minutes of the period. But the rest of the game belonged to the Blue, who outscored the Pioneers 7-1 over the final 23 minutes for a 13-7 victory. Wellesley's seven goals in the second half were divided amongst Roberge who tallied four and Whitaker who added three.

Kennedy led Smith with four points off of three goals and one assist while Smyth also tallied three goals. Whiting added a score of her own and Blair Rapalyea (Prides Crossing, Mass.) picked up an assist. Defensively, Kaitlyn Murdough (Hinsdale, N.H.) recorded four ground balls and three caused turnovers while Sara Smith (Brooklyn, NY) made 12 saves in goal.

For Wellesley, Whitaker finished with eight points while Roberge tied a career-high with five goals. Morrow added a goal and an assist while Elizabeth Hays (Roswell, GA) picked up an assist for Wellesley. Defensively, Loretta White (Northampton, Mass.) had a great game for Wellesley with six ground balls, five draw controls and three caused turnovers. Kristen Jaroncyzk (Manhasset, NY) made 13 saves in goal for the Blue.



               Smith College (5-10) vs. Wellesley College (9-7)
Date: Apr 30, 2008 Location: Wellesley, Mass. Stadium: Wellesley College
Attendance:63 Start time:4:30pm End time:6:11pm Total time:1:41

SCORE BY PERIOD 1 2 Tot
-------------------------------
Smith College.......    4 3 - 7
Wellesley College... 6 7 - 13

Smith College SCORING: GOALS: Kennedy, Caitlin 3; Smyth, Sara 3; Whiting, Carolyn 1.
ASSISTS: Kennedy, Caitlin 1; Rapalyea, Blair 1.

Wellesley College SCORING: GOALS: Colette Whitaker 7; Briana Roberge 5; Molly Morrow 1.
ASSISTS: Elizabeth Hays 1; Molly Morrow 1; Colette Whitaker 1.

Smith College GROUND BALLS: Murdough, Kaitlyn 4; Bauer, Ashley 2; Kennedy, Caitlin 2; Riff, Emily 2; Smyth, Sara 2; Rapalyea, Blair 1; Schmandt, Danielle 1; Smith, Sara 1; Walsh, Michelle 1.

Wellesley College GROUND BALLS: Loretta White 6; Alexis Fischer 2; Nicole Labbee 2; Katie Saylor 2; Katie Bourque 1; Kate Cushing 1; Kristin Jaronczyk 1; Molly Morrow 1.

Smith College TURNOVERS CAUSED: Murdough, Kaitlyn 3; Riff, Emily 3; Kennedy, Caitlin 2; Schmandt, Danielle 2; Smyth, Sara 2; Rapalyea, Blair 1.
Wellesley College TURNOVERS CAUSED: Loretta White 3; Nicole Labbee 1; Katie Saylor 1; Catherine Schaefer 1; Colette Whitaker 1.

SHOTS - Smith College 24; Wellesley College 29.

PENALTIES - Smith College 1/3:00; Wellesley College 1/3:00.

TURNOVERS - Smith College 9; Wellesley College 18.

FACEOFFS - Smith College 0-0; Wellesley College 0-0.

CLEARS - Smith College 5-7; Wellesley College 9-11.

GOALIES - SMI: Smith, Sara (60:00 minutes, 25 shots-12 saves, 13 GA);
WEL: Kristin Jaronczyk (60:00, 20-13, 7).

Start time: 4:30pm Finish time: 6:11pm Length of game: 1:41

A-63 T-1:41

Wellesley Advances in NEWMAC Women's Lacrosse Tournament