Lacrosse Topples Dean Thursday, 13-2

FRANKLIN, Mass. - Behind four goals and two assists from junior Hannah Lemek (Bristol, Conn.), the University of Saint Joseph lacrosse team defeated the Dean College Bulldogs, 13-2, in non-conference action on the road at the Longley Athletic Complex Thursday. The victory improves the Blue Jays record to 3-3 on the season, while Dean falls to 0-10 as both teams came together for a bigger cause and wore pink during the game in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness.

The Blue Jays jumped out to an early 4-0 lead as Lemek and senior Vicky Thai (West Hartford, Conn.) alternated scoring the first four goals of the game in the opening eight minutes of action. Dean answered right back though and cut the USJ lead in half with the next two goals to make it 4-2 with just over five minutes on the clock before halftime.

St. Joseph used one more push before time expired in the period however, and sophomore Diamond Wallen (Hartford, Conn.) tickled the twine with her fourth goal of the season with only 35 seconds remaining in the half to put USJ up 5-2 at the break.

It was all Blue Jays in the second half as they shutout the Bulldogs 8-0 in the final 30 minutes of play to account for the 13-2 final. Six different Blue Jays scored in the second half. Thai got things started with her third goal of the game followed by Lemek with her third goal to build a 7-2 edge.

Sophomore Lindsy Hurlbert (Granby, Conn.) and freshman Charlotte Eberhardt (Thomaston, Conn.) followed with the next two goals, both coming on free position attempts, before Lemek posted back-to-back goals to make it 11-2 USJ with just over 16 minutes left in regulation.

Senior Mary Lam (Newington, Conn.) and freshman Devin Godbout (Willimantic, Conn.) recorded the final two goals of the game to close out the scoring. It marked the first career goal for Godbout.

Junior goalie Emily Bourassa (Bristol, Conn.) picked up the win for the Blue Jays between the pipes. She improves her record on the season to 3-3 and made seven saves for USJ in the victory.

The Blue Jays won the draw 10-5 led by six draw controls from Lemek and outshot Dean 29-12 in the game. USJ picked up 10 ground balls as a team led by four from Lam and a pair from Thai.

The USJ lacrosse team will be back in action next when they return home on Saturday and host GNAC opponent Norwich. The opening draw is scheduled for 1 p.m.