GORHAM, ME - The Smith College lacrosse team began the 2024 season with an 11-9 victory over Southern Maine Saturday afternoon. The Pioneers start the year 1-0, while the Huskies dip to 0-1. 

Inside the Numbers

• Gia Arancio (Smithtown, N.Y./Hauppauge) and Kyra Hawk (San Jose, CA/The Harker School) scored three goal apiece
• Caroline Sanders (Orange County, CA/Santa Margarita Catholic) added a goal, four assists, four draw controls, and six ground balls, while Sadie Tschider (Piedmont, CA/Piedmont) finished with a goal and two assists
• In net, goalkeeper Shannon Houtenville (East Windsor, NJ/Highstown) (1-0) made two saves in the win

Game Highlights

• The Pioneers struck first with Aracio scoring following a USM green card. The Huskies responded with back-to-back goals by  Rachel Shanks to stay ahead 2-1 after the first. 
• Smith outscored the Huskies 4-3 in the second quarter and tied the game with two goals in the final 2:19 of the half. Hawk had two of the Smith goals and the other two were scored by Jennie Arancio (Smithtown, N.Y./Hauppauge) and Gia Arancio (Smithtown, N.Y./Hauppauge). 
• The Pioneers regained the lead 3:15 into the new half when Gia Arancio (Smithtown, N.Y./Hauppauge) ripped a shot past the USM keeper following a pass from Sanders. Sanders then doubled her team's lead minutes later with a goal of her own.
• Tschider pushed Smith's advantage to 8-6 with her tally in the closing minutes of the third period. 
• Jennie Arancio (Smithtown, N.Y./Hauppauge) put Smith ahead 9-6, but the Huskies responded with two goals in under a minute to come within 9-8. 
• Emma Butterick (Windsor, CT/Windsor) and Hawk scored two unanswered goals as Smith held their opponent scoreless for the final two minutes of the game

Up Next
Smith returns to action when it travels to Western Connecticut State University on Wednesday, February 28 at 7:00pm

About Smith Athletics: Smith College is a NCAA Division III member of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference that sponsors 11 intercollegiate sports. For more information log on to smithpioneers.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.