NEW LONDON, N.H.  – The Colby-Sawyer women's lacrosse team fell in their first conference game against the USJ  Blue Jays on Saturday by a 11-9 final. 

Rapid Recap: 

• The Blue Jays struck first and early with a strong clear and feed to Brianna Cannon from Alana Picard two minutes into the game. Three minutes later the Chargers would find their response off of a beautiful feed from sophomore Cecilia Ponzini (Windham, N.H.) finding first year Madeline Knight (Pownal, Maine.) to tie the score at 1-1. The visitors would continue their run in the first with Reagan Buschetto and Ashley Rufo each notching solo goals to give the 3-1 advantage leaving the first quarter. 
• The majority of the second quarter would continue to go in the USJ favor with LeGault capitalizing off of a free position attempt, and feeding Maya Tomko two minutes later to put the visitors up 5-1. Thirty seconds after Rufo would go coast to coast adding to the lead, which would go to 8-1 before first year Andrea Smith (Gray, Maine) would rip a shot into the back of the net from a dime from junior Heather Hanson (Barnstable, Mass.). Smith would continue to roll for home team scoring another goal before the break from Ponzini. 
• Hanson came out of half time firing on all cylinders scoring off of a cut through the middle fed from senior Olivia(Marlboro, Vt.)  bringing the Chargers within four. The teams would battle in the midfield before a successful clear from USJ would lead to a Cannon score. The rest of the third would remain quiet with both teams forcing turnovers and coming up with stops. 
• The fourth quarter was dominated by the home team with Hanson scoring back to back goals off of a free possession and pass from sophomore Elena Bronson (Bristol, Vt.). Rufo would respond for the visitors but the first year attacking duo of Smith and Rose Finlayson (Hopkinton, N.H.) would bring the home team within two with seven minutes to go. Both keepers would come up with key saves and stops but Cannon would score a final dagger to end the Chargers come back attempt. 

Inside The Numbers: 

• Hanson and Smith led the offense for the Chargers each registering hat tricks paired with one assist each. Hanson added five ground balls and five caused turnovers while Smith would add two ground balls. 
• Junior AJ Paton (Exeter, N.H.) picked up five saves in the loss, causing one turnover and picking up two ground balls. 

Up Next:  
The Chargers will be back at home to take on their second GNAC Conference match up against the Simmons on Friday March 22nd with a 4:30 PM start. 
 
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