BABSON PARK - The Smith College lacrosse team fell to No. 18 Babson College with a final score of 16-8 on Saturday afternoon at MacDowell Field. Smith drops to 7-4 overall and 3-1 on the year, while the Beavers improve to 5-2, 2-1. Senior Kyra Hawk (San Jose, CA/The Harker School) paced the Bears with four goals, while Caroline Sanders (Orange County, CA/Santa Margarita Catholic) added two goals and three assists. Shannon Houtenville (East Windsor, NJ/Highstown) took the loss, making two saves in 30 minutes of action.

The first quarter began with Babson taking control early, as Grace Rooney scored at 13:24, marking her seventh goal of the season. Babson extended its lead to 2-0 when Lilly Bedard found the net at 12:46. Smith responded with a goal from Sanders at 9:04, bringing the score to 2-1. However, Babson's Estelle Gromko and Margaux Boneu added goals at 6:57 and 3:16, respectively, the latter assisted by Jenna Wong, to close the quarter with a 4-1 lead.

The Beavers extended its lead with a strong second quarter, scoring five goals. Rooney opened the scoring with a goal at 12:50, assisted by Bedard. Bedard contributed significantly with a goal of her own at 10:38 and an assist on Gromko's goal at 8:11. Babson's offensive pressure continued as Bedard netted a free-position goal at 5:11. Smith's Kyra Hawk (San Jose, CA/The Harker School) managed to score at 1:07, marking her 43rd goal of the season. However, Babson quickly responded with goals from Courtney Laden at 0:47 and Hailey Murray at 0:26, both assisted by Bedard, to close the quarter with a 10-2 advantage.

Smith made a strong comeback in the third quarter, closing the gap with Babson. Hawk scored twice, including a player-up goal at 7:52, with assists from Sanders. Sanders also contributed with a free position goal at 11:26. Danika Lipchitz (Needham, MA/Gann Academy) found the back of the net at 7:19, assisted by Brooke Everson (Chapel Hill, NC/East Chapel Hill), adding to the Bears' momentum. Babson responded with a goal from Murray, assisted by Mia Shuman, at 6:19, but the quarter ended with Smith trailing 11-7.

The fourth quarter began with Babson taking advantage early as Rooney scored a free position goal at 14:18, extending its lead. Smith responded with Jenna Paczkowski (Jupiter, FL/Choate Rosemary Hall) finding the net at 11:10, assisted by Sanders, bringing the score to 8-12. Babson's Laden and Gromko each scored player-up goals, increasing the lead to 14-8. Murray added two more free position goals for Babson, with her second at 56 seconds remaining, securing a decisive 16-8 victory for the home team.

Smith Top Performers
Kyra Hawk (San Jose, CA/The Harker School)  
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- 4 goals  
- 7 shots  
- 2 unassisted goals  

Caroline Sanders (Orange County, CA/Santa Margarita Catholic)  
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- 2 goals  
- 3 assists  
- 3 shots  

Danika Lipchitz (Needham, MA/Gann Academy)  
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- 1 goal  
- 1 player-up goal  
- 2 shots

Up Next
Smith hosts Salve Regina on Wednesday, April 1 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.