NORTHAMPTON - Junior Kyra Hawk (San Jose, CA/The Harker School) netted the game-winning goal in overtime to secure a 8-7 come-from-behind win for the Smith College lacrosse team. The Bears improve to 8-4 on the year and 4-1 in the NEWMAC. The Seahawks dip to 5-6 overall and 2-4 in conference play.

The first quarter opened with Salve Regina securing an early advantage as Daniella Bruno scored the initial goal at 14:19. The Bears' attempts to respond were thwarted by Mary Flynn Kayajan's saves, including a notable stop against Layna Fitzgerald (Indianapolis, IN/Cathedral) at 9:29. The Seahawks extended their lead to 2-0 with a free position goal by Alix Madden at 7:59. The Bears found the net late in the quarter when Fitzgerald capitalized on a free position shot at 1:18, narrowing the deficit to 2-1 by the end of the quarter.

Salve Regina extended its lead early in the second quarter with two goals by Bruno, the first at 14:17 and another at 11:55, putting it ahead 4-1. Smith responded at 7:12 with a goal by Caroline Sanders (Orange County, CA/Santa Margarita Catholic), closing the gap to 4-2. The Seahawks quickly countered with goals from Madden at 6:05 and Bruno again at 5:23, bringing the score to 6-2. In the final seconds, Kyra Hawk (San Jose, CA/The Harker School) scored for Smith at 00:03, narrowing the deficit to 6-3 as the quarter concluded.

Smith mounted a strong comeback in the third quarter, narrowing the gap with Salve Regina by scoring three unanswered goals. Sanders initiated the scoring for Smith at 12:22, followed by Fitzgerald's goal at 11:26. Jenna Paczkowski (Jupiter, FL/Choate Rosemary Hall) added the third goal at 6:22, prompting Salve Regina to call a timeout. The Bears' defense remained solid, with Brooke Testa (Pittstown, NJ/Delaware Valley) making several key saves, including two against Madden, to keep Salve Regina scoreless in the quarter. The quarter concluded with Smith tying the game at 6-6.

In a tightly contested fourth quarter, Salve Regina took an early lead with a goal by Madden at 8:23. The Bears responded with persistent pressure, but shots by Hawk and Sanders were saved by Flynn Kayajan. Fitzgerald leveled the score for Smith with a goal assisted by Emma Butterick (Windsor, CT/Windsor) at the 38-second mark. Despite a last-minute timeout by Salve Regina, the quarter concluded with the score tied at 7-7.

Smith secured a narrow victory over Salve Regina with a decisive goal in overtime. The key moment came at 1:21 when Hawk scored to clinch the win. 

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

Kyra Hawk (San Jose, CA/The Harker School)
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- 2 goals
- 1 game-winning goal
- 7 shots

Caroline Sanders (Orange County, CA/Santa Margarita Catholic)
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- 2 goals
- 8 shots
- 5 shots on goal

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

Up Next
Smith hosts Coast Guard on Saturday, April 4 at 1:00pm

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