WOMEN'S SOCCER COMES UP SHORT IN GNAC CHAMPIONSHIP; LASELL TAKES CROWN IN PK SHOOTOUT

NEWTON, Mass. - For the sixth consecutive season, the Lasell College women's soccer team claimed the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) crown on Saturday afternoon in penalty kicks against the visiting Saints of Emmanuel College. The Lasers' season continues with an overall record of 13-4-4, while the Saints wrap up a successful year at 11-8-3 

Senior Sarah Jones (Duxbury, Mass.) secured the win after 110 minutes of soccer when she netted the game-advancing penalty kick past EC sophomore keeper Victoria LaRoche (Hudson, N.H.) 

In an evenly matched contest, both teams battled through 84 minutes of scoreless play before Lasell freshman Carly Zdanek (Newton, N.J.) broke open the scoring at 85:09 when she fled up the left flank and took a brilliant shot on goal just out of LaRoche's reach 

The Saints would not go quietly as junior Molly Keefe (Manchester, N.H.) capitalized on a rebounded shot just two minutes later to force the GNAC final into overtime, 1-1.

Lasell put the pressure on early in the first overtime period, recording four shots compared to the Saints' zero. Following an Emmanuel foul, junior Devon Day (Hartsdale, Vt.) nearly netted the game-winning goal from a free kick, but LaRoche reached for the save as both teams headed into the final segment of overtime action.

LaRoche continued her brilliance in net for the Saints, as Zdanek tried to sneak another in at the 101^st minute that was batted away by the sophomore net minder. A final save by LaRoche brought penalty kicks to Taylor Field for the second game in a row, and just the second time in Lasell women's soccer's tenure.

After junior Erin Smith (Gorham, Maine), senior Ari Cardillo (Richmond, Mass.) and freshman Erika Badger (Scituate, Mass.) buried their shots with ease, senior Molly Carey (Swampscott, Mass.) took the penalty spot for the Saints. On a hard and well placed shot to frame, a sprawling Lasell sophomore keeper Sarah LaClair (Belchertown, Mass.) denied the visitors' of the equalizer penalty kick. Four following players did their job at the penalty line to put Jones in yet another game-winning situation. Much like her triumph in the semifinals versus the University of Saint Joseph's Connecticut, the GNAC All-Tournament Most Valuable Player took a confident sprint to the ball and secured the victory for Lasell College for its sixth GNAC title in a row.

In the full 110 minute battle, LaClair turned away four shots on goal for the Lasers, while LaRoche recorded nine saves in the effort. The goal she allowed in regulation was the first she had surrendered in 571:09, breaking her own record for consecutive scoreless minutes in goal.

The Lasers' fate will be determined next week as they await the NCAA Tournament selection show while the Saints season comes to an end.

*Release courtesy of Lasell College Sports Information