SPRINGFIELD, Mass. Junior classmates Jessica Lawler (Mexico, N.Y.) and Stefanie Dufresne (Belchertown, Mass.) registered seven points apiece to help lift American International College past Post University, 23-5, in non-conference women's lacrosse action this afternoon from Ronald J. Abdow Field.
AIC (4-1) started fast as senior Cheyenne Carden (Branford, Conn.) opened the scoring just 26 ticks into the contest, but the Eagles (0-4) responded quickly with a free-position goal just 1:08 into the game for the 1-1 tie.
However, the Jackets erupted for 13 straight goals as they took a 14-1 lead after senior Erica McLean (Branford, Conn.) collected a free-position goal at the 7:19 mark of the opening half. They hit running time at the 14:09 mark of the first half on a goal from freshman Mikayla Demanche (Rochester, Mass.).
Lawler scored four times during that spurt while senior Kelly Reilly (Corning, N.Y.) and junior Riley Brennan (Wilbraham, Mass.) each found the back of the net twice.
After another Post score McLean and freshman Mary Bates (E. Longmeadow, Mass.) closed the first half for a 16-2 Yellow Jacket lead going into the intermission.
The Eagles opened the second half with a pair of scores before AIC closed the game scoring seven of the final eight goals for the final score.
Junior goalkeeper Alexis Torosian (Hopkinton, Mass.) improves to 4-1 on the year after stopping two shots in the opening half before being relieved by freshman Gianna Barile (Wallingford, Conn.) who collected one save in the final half. Post freshman Monica Kochurin (Manassas, Va.) took the loss to fall to 0-4 after stopping seven shots.
Dufresne collected a game-high five assists while adding a pair of goals to go with Lawler's five scores and two helpers. Nine Yellow Jackets collected multiple points as Reilly (3G, 2A), McLean (3G), senior Whitney McKay (2G, 1A), Brennan (2G, 1A), Bates (2G, 1A), Carden (2G), and junior Abigail Cavallo (1G, 1A) join Dufresne and Lawler.
AIC outshot the visitors 38-10 including a 30-8 margin on target while controlling the draws (21-9), groundballs (21-12) and converting 10-of-11 clear attempts.
AIC resumes conference play on Friday when they host no. 20 nationally ranked Saint Anselm at 7 p.m.
