Lasell Women's Soccer Falls to No. 2 William Smith in NCAA First Round

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Courtesy of Lasell Athletics Communications

GENEVA, N.Y. -- The Lasell College women's soccer team fell 5-0 to nationally-ranked No. 2 William Smith in the first round of the NCAA Division III National Tournament at Cozzens Field Saturday morning.

The Lasers advanced to the  NCAA Tournament for the eighth time in program history, after winning their eighth straight Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) championship. Lasell defeated Johnson & Wales 2-0 on November 4th in the conference championship.

William Smith junior Megan Barwick (Seattle, Wash.) notched two goals for the Herons. Senior Evie Manning (Lytham, England) and freshman Shelia McQuillen (Natick, Mass.) each chipped in a goal and an assist.

The Herons jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first half, before adding three more goals in the second. Manning put William Smith up 1-0 just 11:53 into the match. The goal came off a rebound of her own initial shot that was saved by LaClair. Manning set up McQuillen to make it 2-0.

Junior Carly Zdanek (Newton, N.J.) was the lone Lasers to record a shot versus the Herons, with three shots and two on goal.

William Smith would add to their lead in the 53rd minute, as Barwick gave the Herons a 3-0 on a header. The Herons would add two more goals in the second to take a 5-0 advantage over the Lasers. The Lasers were outshot 21-3, including 13-2 in the first half.

Goalkeeper Sarah LaClair (Belchertown, Mass.) made five saves. William Smith goalkeepers Veronica Romines (San Diego, Calif.) and Kaileen Murray (Garden City, N.Y.) each recorded one save.

LaClair finishes her collegiate career with 305 saves and a .836 save percentage in 60 career games. With 24 career shutouts, LaClair boasts the all-time record at Lasell for shutouts in a career.

Lasell finishes the season with a 13-6-0 overall record.