NORTHAMPTON - Late-game heroics by Layna Fitzgerald (Indianapolis, IN/Cathedral) lifted the Smith College lacrosse team to a thrilling 14-13 victory over Westfield State Friday afternoon. Fitzgerald scored the game-winning goal with 18 seconds remaining in the game to push the Bears to 4-2 on the season. Fitzgerald and Kyra Hawk (San Jose, CA/The Harker School) each finished with four goals, while Caroline Sanders (Orange County, CA/Santa Margarita Catholic) added three. Brooke Testa (Pittstown, NJ/Delaware Valley) made 11 stops between the pipes.

The Owls struck first with Mercedes Rozzi scoring at 13:57, assisted by Arianna Andresen. Smith responded with a goal by Sanders at 11:34, to even the score. The teams exchanged goals again, with Rozzi adding another for Westfield State from a free position at 10:42, and Fitzgerald leveling it for the Bears at 8:07. Jenna Paczkowski (Jupiter, FL/Choate Rosemary Hall) then put Smith ahead with a goal at 1:29, assisted by Brooke Everson (Chapel Hill, NC/East Chapel Hill). However, Westfield State's Marena Morales scored with 12 seconds left to tie the game 3–3 at the end of the quarter.

Fitzgerald opened the scoring in the second quarter for Smith with a goal at 13:44, extending the home team's lead. The Bears continued to press, with Skylar Burkhart (Woodinville, WA/Seattle Academy) scoring at 9:15, assisted by Sanders, and Kyra Hawk (San Jose, CA/The Harker School) adding another goal at 8:29. Smith's offensive momentum was maintained by Everson, who scored at 6:14. Westfield State responded with a free position goal by Christina Roncarati at 5:03 and another tally assisted by Morales at 4:20. Morales further closed the gap with a goal at 1:54. However, Fitzgerald struck again with 23 seconds remaining to solidify Smith's lead at the end of the quarter.

Westfield State opened the third quarter with a goal by Morales at 11:55, narrowing the gap, but Smith responded with Hawk scoring at 4:34, maintaining the lead at 10–8. However, Rozzi of the Owls capitalized on two free position attempts, scoring at 2:19 and again at 1:05, bringing the visitors within one. Despite several turnovers and fouls, the Bears retained a slim 10–9 lead as the quarter concluded.

Smith and Westfield State engaged in a tense fourth quarter, with both teams exchanging goals and momentum. Sanders scored at 12:48 to extend Smith's lead, but Westfield State's Morales responded with a free position goal at 9:46. Hawk added another for the Bears at 7:47, before Morales struck again at 5:58 to keep the visitors in contention. The teams continued to trade goals, with Sanders and Fitzgerald finding the net for Smith, while Kayli Bush scored with an assist from Morales for the Owls. Fitzgerald's goal at 0:18 sealed the win for the Bears.

Smith Top Performers
Layna Fitzgerald (Indianapolis, IN/Cathedral)
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- 4 goals
- 9 shots
- 6 shots on goal

Kyra Hawk (San Jose, CA/The Harker School)
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- 4 goals
- 7 shots
- 5 shots on goal

Caroline Sanders (Orange County, CA/Santa Margarita Catholic)
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- 3 goals
- 1 assist
- 6 shots on goal

Brooke Testa (Pittstown, NJ/Delaware Valley)
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- 11 saves
- Faced 29 shots

Up Next
Smith begins its NEWMAC slate tomorrow when the Bears host Mount Holyoke at 1:00pm.

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 GoSmithBears.com and follow us on Facebook, and  Instagram.