Women's Lacrosse Set Back By Wilkes, 19-1

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – The Wells College women's lacrosse team was handed a 19-1 loss by the Colonels of Wilkes University on Saturday at Schmidt Stadium. With the loss, Wells falls to 0-1 on the young season while the Colonels improve to 5-0 on the year.

The Wells offense generated only one goal across the tilt's 60 minutes for the first time since Apr. 23, 2011, a 12-1 loss to the Hawks of Hartwick College. Due to inclement weather in the Finger Lakes region, this afternoon's contest marked the first time playing outdoors on a turf surface in 2014.

On a free position attempt with 11:08 remaining in regulation time, junior Marina Fargnoli (Apalachin, N.Y.) broke the shutout by firing a shot past Morgan Galluzzo, the sister of former Wells men's lacrosse goalkeeper Chris Galluzzo, to place Wells on the board.  Fargnoli led the Express in shots on goal and draw controls with five. Sophomore Lexie Roberson (Winston-Salem, N.C.) and classmate Andrea Gould (Fulton, N.Y.) each posted five ground balls to lead the team in that category.

The host Colonels jumped out to a 5-0 lead within the game's first 4:29 as Gabby Ford scored two of her team's goals during that span. Leading by a 9-0 margin following Ford's third goal of the game, the Colonels were held scoreless by the Wells defense for the next six-plus minutes before Sara Gilbert scored her team's 10th goal.

Trailing by a 14-0 margin at halftime, Wells allowed only five goals for the remainder of the contest. Wilkes saw a team-leading seven points by Ford, who registered four total goals and three assists for seven points (4-3=7). Tori Kerr added four goals of her own and chipped in with a four caused turnovers, tying with Jessica MacConchie for the team lead.

Wells goalkeeper Chelsea Dann (Flagstaff, Ariz.) drew the loss despite turning aside 12 shots on goal for the Express. Dann yielded to freshman Brooke Spanbauer (Niagara Falls, N.Y.) in the late stages of the game – the first year keeper allowed two goals down the stretch. Gabby Zawacki earned the start for Wilkes and did not face a shot on goal before she was relieved by Galluzzo late in the game. Neither keeper registered a save for the Colonels.

The Express return to action next Saturday, Mar. 22 as they face-off against Alfred University in a noontime road contest.