WEST PALM BEACH, FL (March 15, 2010) – The Fitchburg State women’s lacrosse team opened up its 2010 season this afternoon, but the Falcons were edged by Curry College, 11-10 in West Palm Beach, Florida. With the win, the Colonels improve their record to 2-1 while the Falcons drop to 0-1.
 
Sophomore Amanda Burns (Weymouth, Mass./Weymouth) led the Fitchburg State attack, totaling a team-high five points on four goals and one assist. Junior Kaitlyn Kelley (Townsend, Mass./Pepperell) was also solid, connecting for three goals and one helper, while senior Emily Swan (Franklin, Mass./Franklin) added two markers and one dish.

Curry received a balanced attack this afternoon as four players registered a multiple goal game. Junior  Elissa Bulgatz (North Brook, Ill./Glenbrook) led all Colonel scorers with three markers, while Jessie Koffman (Andover, Mass./Andover), Kelly Champagne (Wolfeboro, N.H./Kimball Union), and Ashley Hansbury (Chelmsford, Mass./Chelmsford) added two scores apiece.

After one period of play, Fitchburg State held a 5-2 advantage as Burns connected for three, first-half goals. Junior Tori D’Amato (Hampden, Mass./Merrimack) and Swan also tallied first half markers, while freshman goaltender Abbie Brown (Westwood, Mass./Westwood) limited the Colonels to only two goals in the half.

In the second half however, Curry offense stepped up, registering nine goals in the half to post its second victory of the season. The Colonels opened the period with four consecutive goals to post a 6-5 margin, before taking a two-goal advantage (8-6) following a Hansbury goal at the 16:13 mark.

Fitchburg State responded with three consecutive markers by Kelley and Swan over a 1:07 span, but Curry recorded three goals over the final five minutes of play, including the game-winning marker by Champagne at the 2:29 mark.

Fitchburg State and Curry both registered 25 shots throughout the contest, while Curry held a slim 20-19 advantage in groundballs. Brown stopped four shots in her first collegiate start for the Falcons, while Maria Lynch (Billerica, Mass./Billerica) posted 12 saves for the Colonels.

Fitchburg State (0-1, 0-0 NEWLA) returns to action tomorrow on Wednesday as it faces Manhattanville College at 11 a.m. Curry (2-1, 0-0 TCCC) will also be in action on Wednesday as it battle the University of Scranton at 11 a.m.

(Courtesy of Fitchburg State Sports Information)