MANCHESTER, N.H. – The Saint Anselm women's lacrosse team took on cross-town rival Southern New Hampshire University this afternoon in the Northeast-10 conference opener.  Although the Hawks jumped to a quick 2-0 lead, the Penmen dominated the majority of the game, cruising to an 18-9 victory.   

The Hawks scored first, as Meghan Smith (Pittsford, N.Y.) and Lauren Alfis (Hanover, Mass.) each netted a goal in the first three minutes of the game.  The Penmen then took a 3-2 lead at 23:43.  The Hawks tied the game at three at 21:03, but at 19:56 the Penmen regained the lead and held onto it for the remainder of the game, running the final score to 18-9.

Meghan Smith scored four of the Hawks' nine goals.  Leigh Krzyston (Bedford, N.H.), Jamie Lynn Comrie (Ashburn, Va.), Bryanna Hayes (Mansfield, Mass.), Emily Traicoff (Beverly, Mass.) and Lauren Alfis each scored one of the remaining Hawk goals.  Carole Lee led the Penmen, netting four shots, followed by Sherry Darrell with three.

Southern New Hampshire goalkeeper Hannah Moriarty made 13 saves in the game, picking up the win, and her Hawk counterpart Katherine O'Hara (Norwell, Mass.) turned aside 12 shots.  The win lifts the Penmen to 2-1 (2-0 NE-10), while the Hawks drop to 2-2 (0-1 NE-10). 

The Hawks return to action next Saturday, March 27th, when they host the Assumption College Greyhounds in the team's home opener.  The Hawks will be supporting in the “Lax-4-Life” charity effort during the game, which is scheduled to begin at noon.