WORCESTER - The Smith College lacrosse team jumped out to an 11-0 lead and never looked back as the Bears picked up a 12-4 NEWMAC win at Clark University Saturday afternoon. Smith moves to 6-3, 2-0. The Cougars dip to 2-4, 0-1.

Smith took an early lead in the first quarter with Layna Fitzgerald (Indianapolis, IN/Cathedral) scoring the opening goal at 8:21, assisted by Emma Butterick (Windsor, CT/Windsor), during a player-up advantage. The Bears continued their offensive momentum as Kyra Hawk (San Jose, CA/The Harker School) added a second goal at 7:24. Fitzgerald struck again at 4:30, this time assisted by Hawk, extending Smith's lead to three. The Cougars struggled to respond, facing multiple turnovers and failed clear attempts, while Smith's defense, led by Brooke Testa (Pittstown, NJ/Delaware Valley), held firm with a save on Clark's shot by Amelia Corbin at 00:40. At the end of the first quarter, Smith led 3–0.

Smith extended its advantage in the second period with a strong offensive performance, adding four unanswered goals against the Cougars. Hawk opened the scoring with a player-up goal at 14:35, assisted by Butterick. Caroline Sanders (Orange County, CA/Santa Margarita Catholic) followed with another goal at 9:48, while Hawk scored again at 7:50. Sofia Pascua (Carlsbad, CA/Sage Creek) capped the quarter's scoring with a player-up goal, also assisted by Butterick, at 6:51. The Bears' defense, anchored by Testa's saves, maintained a shutout, bringing the score to 7–0 at the end of the quarter.

Smith extended its lead in the third quarter with a commanding performance, scoring four unanswered goals. Danika Lipchitz (Needham, MA/Gann Academy) opened the scoring at 12:29 with a player-up goal, assisted by Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald then capitalized on a free position shot at 11:07 to increase Smith's advantage. Brooke Everson (Chapel Hill, NC/East Chapel Hill) added another free position goal at 8:30, followed by Sanders scoring at 6:52 after a draw control. The Cougars were unable to break through Smith's defense, with Smith's goalkeepers combining for multiple saves, maintaining an 11–0 lead by the end of the quarter.

Clark mounted a strong offensive push in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Bears 4-1.

Smith Top Performers
Layna Fitzgerald (Indianapolis, IN/Cathedral) 
- 3 goals
- 1 assist
- 6 shots on goal

Kyra Hawk (San Jose, CA/The Harker School) 
- 3 goals
- 2 assists
- 5 shots on goal

Caroline Sanders (Orange County, CA/Santa Margarita Catholic) 
- 3 goals
- Game-winning goal
- 3 shots on goal

Brooke Testa (Pittstown, NJ/Delaware Valley) 
- 6 saves
- 0 goals against
- 8 shots faced

Up Next
Smith hosts Wheaton College on Wednesday, March 25 at 6:00pm

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.