NORTHAMPTON, MA. - The Smith College lacrosse team turned in a dominant first-half performance and finished strong to earn a 17–9 win over Clark University on Saturday afternoon at Smith Turf Field on Senior Day. The Pioneers improve to 7–6 overall and 3–3 in NEWMAC play. Smith honored its five senior before the game, Sadie Tschider (Piedmont, CA/Piedmont), Gwen Tuckett (Cambridge, MA/Dana Hall School), Maggie Thompson (Bedford, NH/Bedford), Katarzyna Wisnauckas (Worthington, MA/Hampshire Regional), and Paige Rocha (Melrose, MA/Melrose). 

Game Highlights

Smith opened the game on fire, building a 7–2 lead in the first quarter and controlling both ends of the field. The Pioneers moved the ball fluidly in transition, dominated draw controls early, and capitalized on extra possessions to take full control by halftime.

• Kyra Hawk (San Jose, CA/The Harker School) had a standout performance with six goals and two assists, using her speed and creativity to find seams in the Clark defense. She scored in all four quarters and played a key role in both early momentum and the closing stretch.

• Sadie Tschider (Piedmont, CA/Piedmont) added four goals and two assists, including a pair of early finishes that helped ignite Smith's 7-goal first quarter. Her off-ball movement and connection with the midfield kept the offense flowing.

• Caroline Sanders (Orange County, CA/Santa Margarita Catholic) continued to impact the game in all areas with three goals, two assists, and a game-high 10 draw controls, frequently setting Smith up with possession off the restart. With Sanders' ten draw controls, she broke the Smith all-time draw controls career record. She now has 189 draw controls and counting. 

• Emma Butterick (Windsor, CT/Windsor) facilitated from the perimeter, picking up two assists and a goal while helping Smith break through Clark's zone defense.

• Jenna Paczkowski (Jupiter, FL/Choate Rosemary Hall) added a fourth-quarter power-play goal. 

• Layna Fitzgerald (Indianapolis, IN/Cathedral), Jordan Hoffman (Portland, OR/Jesuit), and Kyra Hackett each added assists or drew key fouls that extended Smith possessions.

Defensively, Smith forced Clark into rushed shots and limited quality looks in settled situations. Brooke Testa (Pittstown, NJ/Delaware Valley) made three saves in the first half and picked up the win, while Paige Rocha (Melrose, MA/Melrose) held Clark scoreless in the fourth quarter with three saves and strong command of the defense.

The Pioneers outshot Clark 38–20 and finished 15-for-16 on clears, with defenders like Yasmin Grant (South Orange, NJ/Columbia), Leigh Hillmanno (Yardville, NJ/Princeton Day School), and Darci DeAngelis (Boise, ID/Boise) executing clean transitions under pressure.

Team Notes

• Smith had nine players record a point in the win.

• The Pioneers scored six man-up goals and controlled the tempo in all four quarters.

• The team won the ground ball battle and drew five free-position attempts.

• The victory marks Smith's third conference win by 8+ goals this season.

Up Next:

Smith continues its conference slate at home next week. Opening draw is set for next Wednesday at 7pm against Wellesley. 

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, and Instagram.