Owls Defense Stifles Salem State, 17-2 in MASCAC Quarterfinals

Westfield Mass. - Westfield State senior attack Elizabeth Navoni (Mansfield Mass.) scored five goals, while senior Marissa Nimeskern (Hanover, Mass.) scored her 100th career goal, to help lead the women's lacrosse team to a 17-2 victory over Salem State in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) women's lacrosse tournament quarterfinals Tuesday night.

Navoni wasted no time in this one, scoring two goals within the first 6 minutes of the game to give the Owls an early 2-0 lead.

Fellow seniors Allie Fedak (Wilbraham, Mass.) and Alexa Tonelli (Shrewsbury, Mass.) went on to score back to back goals within 15 seconds of each other to extend Westfield's lead to 4-0 with 19:34 remaining in the half.

Salem State would get one back at 17:38 in the first half on a nice goal from sophomore Taylor Lund (Woburn, Mass.) to bring the score to 4-1, but that was as close as the Vikings would get it.

The Owls went on to score the next seven goals of the contest to put it out of reach, stretching the lead to 13-1 with 20:40 remaining in the game.

Tonelli netted a goal to go along with four assists in the win, while senior Sidney Lambert (Hanover, Mass.) chipped in with two goals and an assist of her own. Rachel Gelina (Westfield, Mass.) and Hayley Rodriguez (Melrose, Mass.) each added a goal and three assists.

Senior defense Caroline Arket (Poughquag, N.Y.) also netted the first goal of her collegiate career in the win.

Westfield had an outstanding game on the defensive side of the ball, forcing 26 turnovers and recovering 29 ground balls in the win.

Senior Maria Woodall (Norfolk, Mass.) freshman Sam Simonetty (Poughquag, N.Y.) and sophomore Emma Duffy (Braintree, Mass.) combined to allow just two goals in net for Westfield State.

Salem was led by sophomores Taylor Lund (Woburn, Mass.) and Kirsten Bradley (Peabody, Mass.) who each netted a goal in the loss.

The Owls improve to 9-9 on the year with the win, while the Vikings finish their season with a record of 3-15.

Westfield State will continue their quest for their third straight MASCAC championship in the semifinals Thursday, May 2nd at 7pm, where they will travel to face #2-seed Bridgewater State.