Colchester, Vermont (April 7)-The Saint Anselm College women's lacrosse team defeated the Purple Knights of Saint Michael's College 15-11 Tuesday afternoon at Doc Jacobs Field Complex in NE-10 action. The win lifts the Hawks to 4-6 overall and 3-3 in NE-10 play, while the loss drops the Purple Knights to 2-6 overall and 2-3 in league contests.

The Hawks, who never trailed in the game, started the scoring over five minutes into the game on a goal from Emily Traicoff (Beverly, Mass.). Freshman midfielder Meghan Smith (Pittsford, N.Y.) would net her 23rd goal of the season to make it 2-0 Saint Anselm.

Saint Mike's would make it close on a free position-shot goal from Lauren Rizzotti (Rockland, Mass.) with less than two minutes remaining in the first half to cut the Hawks lead to 5-4. But Shawna Walsh (Woburn, Mass.) and Smith would add unassisted goals to extend the Saint Anselm lead to 7-4 at the half.

The Hawks would only outscore the Purple Knights 8-7 in the second half, but senior attack Michaela Rocha's (Rye, N.H.) goal with 37 seconds left propelled the Hawks to a 15-11 NE-10 road victory.

Rocha's seven points on four goals and three assists led the Hawks, while Smith followed right behind with five goals and an assist for six points. Saint Michael's was led by Rizzotti's four goal effort in the losing effort.

Saint Anselm goalie Katherine O'Hara (Norwell, Mass.) would stop 11 shots and allow as many goals in her third win of the season, while Purple Knight's goaltender Meghan McLaughlin (Cape Elizabeth, Maine) would stop nine shots and allow the 15 Hawk goals in the loss.

The Hawks return to action Thursday, April 9th, as they will host cross-town rival Southern New Hampshire for an NE-10 match at 4 p.m. at Grappone Stadium.