HENNIKER, N.H. – The Colby-Sawyer women's lacrosse team finally got the spring season started defeating inner-state rival New England College by a 17-6 final.

Rapid Recap: 

• The Chargers got on the scoring sheet first as sophomore Sophia Kuhlthau (Cheshire, Conn.) finished a free position goal. First year Cecilia Ponzini (Windham, N.H.) was next with a free position strike just a minute later to double the Colby-Sawyer lead. The lead hit three with 7:39 remaining in the first as sophomore Heather Hanson (Marstons Mills, Mass.) hit the back of the net on a pass from senior Sydney Stevens (Laconia, N.H.). The Pilgrims tried to get their first goal with three minutes to go in the first but a key save by sophomore AJ Paton (Exeter, N.H.) led to a transition goal from Stevens assisted by Hanson. The first quarter scoring ended with a second strike by Ponzini on another assist by Stevens. 
• In the second quarter junior Olivia Romo (Marlboro, Vt.) kept the Chargers rolling scoring on a feed from Hanson. Ponzini followed to finish off the first collegiate hat-trick of her career from a feed from Hanson. The lead hit 9-0 with 9:51 to play as senior Hannah Marquis (Weare, N.H.) hit the back of the net followed quickly by another Stevens strike. The Pilgrims finally showed resistance getting two goals within 14 seconds, but another goal by Romo stopped the momentum by the home team and gave the Chargers a 10-2 advantage heading into the break.
• New England College started the scoring in the third quarter, but the Chargers countered with six-consecutive goals in third starred by three goals by Kuhlthau with another two going to Hanson.
• In the fourth quarter the Pilgrims picked up there fourth goal of the day to cut the deficit to 16-4, but Kuhlthau finished her fifth of the game with 5:37 left to finish the Chargers scoring. New England College added one final goal, but Colby-Sawyer held on for the big victory.

Player Spotlight:

"It felt so great to be back out on the field with this team, doing what we love to do", said senior Sydney Stevens (Laconia, N.H.). "It was amazing to finally show all the hard work we have been putting in for weeks and come up with a big win in our first game!"

Stats & Figures:

• Kuhlthau led the offense with five goals to go along with four ground balls, three caused turnovers and six draw controls.
• Stevens added a big day with three goals, three assists, with a career-high five caused turnovers and a career-best 11 ground balls.
• Ponzini registered three goals, an assist, five ground balls and a pair of caused turnovers, while Hanson tallied three goals, three assists and seven ground balls. 
• Paton picked up her first win of the season with three saves. 
• Colby-Sawyer ended the day with a program-record 51 ground balls on the day holding the 51-27 advantage over the Pilgrims. The Chargers also won the draw with a 14-9 margin. 

Up Next:
The Chargers will have their home opener at Sally Shaw Veitch Track & Field against Emmanuel College on Friday with a 3:00 PM start.

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