NEW LONDON, N.H.  – The Colby-Sawyer women's lacrosse team picked up their first victory in New London on Saturday defeating Vermont State University - Castleton by a 21-6 final in the home opener. 

Rapid Recap: 

• The Chargers came out looking to make a statement with two goals in the first minute of action as first year Rose Finlayson (Hopkinton, N.H.) finished home both goals on assists by first year Andrea Smith (Gray, Maine) and sophomore Cecilia Ponzini (Windham, N.H.). Graduate student Hannah Marquis (Weare, N.H.) kept Colby-Sawyer rolling with a strike of her own from Finlayson. Megan Ward put the Spartans on the board with 6:03 to play in the first quarter to trim the deficit to 3-1. Smith got the offense rolling again with a goal to spark a 6-0 goal run in the remaining time in the quarter. Graduate student Sydney Stevens (Laconia, N.H.) was dominant in the run with two goals and an assist as the Chargers grew the lead to 9-1. 
• In the second quarter the Chargers continued to extend the lead as Ponzini quickly found the net with a finish. Gianna Geraci stopped the run with the second goal for the Spartans in the game. Junior Soph Kuhlthau (Cheshire, Conn.) and senior Olivia Romo (Marlboro, Vt.) put the Chargers up 10 with back-to-back strikes. The half closed with another goal by Ward as Castleton went into the break trailing 12-3. 
• First year Lexi Shute (Gilford, N.H.) netted her first collegiate goal to kick off the third quarter, but the Spartans battled back with three-straight goals to cut the Charger lead to just 13-6. Smith kept the home team in front with a pair of goals for the Chargers along with another strike by first year Madeline Knight (Pownal, Maine) pushed the lead back to 16-6 as we headed to the final 15 minutes. 
• In the final frame the Chargers added five more strikes to pull off the 21-6 win. Sophomore Elena Bronson (Bristol, Vt.) and first year Gracie Pizon (Stratham, N.H.) each added their first goals of the season in the fourth.

Post Game Press:
"This game was a great win to lead into a really tough season", said first year Andrea Smith (Gray, Maine). "Having the chance to truly practice our plays, and play our game with and for each other is going to be huge when we face our conference teams. We're keeping up the intensity and will keep pushing forward!"

Inside The Numbers: 

• Smith was one of three Chargers with five points on three goals and two helpers joining Finlayson and Kuhlthau. Kuhlthau added four grounders and three caused turnovers. Stevens tallied four points on two goals and two assists, while Knight added two goals and an assist. Hanson totaled one goal and two assists to go with five ground balls and three caused turnovers in the win. 
• Ponzini and Marquis led the defensive effort each causing four turnovers. 
• Junior AJ Paton (Exeter, N.H.) picked up collegiate win number 23 making four saves.  
• Ward paced the Spartans with a hat trick to lead Castleton. 

Up Next:  
The Chargers will be back on the road to take on Fitchburg State University on Wednesday with a 4:00 PM start. 
 
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