Springfield, Mass. – February 25, 2014 – The Springfield College women’s lacrosse team posted a dominant showing in their opening game of the 2014 campaign, cruising to a 19-1 win over Eastern Connecticut State on Stagg Field Tuesday afternoon.

Kelly Gallo (Westfield, Mass.) led Springfield with six points on four goals and two helpers, while Jennifer McDonough (Holbrook, N.Y.) found the back of the cage five times. Colleen Keeley (Agawam, Mass.) dished out four assists and Connie Nielsen (Sayville, N.Y.) produced two goals and three assists.

Anne Versprille (Franklin, Mass.) was one of three Springfield goalies to play between the pipes and earned the win as she made one save in 30 minutes of action.

  Springfield put together a dominating first half to begin its season as it outshot the visitors, 20-2, en route to scoring 11 first-half goals.Gallo opened up the scoring 6:07 into the game after she got free on a roll dodge along the crease for the first mark of SpringfieldÂ's season.  Just 2:43 later, Keeley delivered a terrific look inside to McDonough to put the hosts up a pair.

  The PrideÂ's lead increased to 4-0 after Michelle Dorsey (Wilbraham, Mass.) and Nielsen fired home free-position strikes, and with just over 10 minutes to play, Emily Rodgers (Durham, N.H.) found the back of the cage.

  Over the next 2:30, Springfield poured in four goals, with Keeley, McDonough, Dorsey, and Gallo all scored for the hosts.  Kendall Krafick (Danbury, Conn.) added her first collegiate goal with 1:21 on the clock, and Nielsen added her second with 10 ticks left to head into the half with an 11-0 cushion.

  Springfield continued its offensive pressure in the second half, with Gallo opening up the scoring just 1:35 in the stanza. The Pride would go on to score the first eight goals of the half before the Warriors finally found the back of the cage with 1:24 left in regulation. Erin Conn (Moriches, N.Y.) finished an Ashley Wolk (Barrington, R.I.) feed to spoil the Pride’s plan for a shutout.

All told, Springfield owned a 32-7 edge in shots and won 14 of the game’s 22 draw controls. Nielsen led all players with five draw controls, while Heather Raniolo (Yorktown Heights, N.Y.) scooped up four ground balls.

       Springfield will play again on Saturday afternoon when it travels to compete against Roger Williams for a 1:00 pm contest.