SNHU Softball Shut Out at Saint Anselm, 9-0

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Recap, photo courtesy of SNHU

When and Where: April 11, 2018 – Manchester, N.H. (South Athletic Field)
Score: Saint Anselm College 9, Southern New Hampshire University 0 (5 inn.)
Records: Saint Anselm 24-9-1 (11-3-1 NE10, 7-2 NE10 NE), SNHU 25-8 (8-5 NE10, 3-4 NE10 NE)

Freshman Shay Sauvageau (Griswold, Conn.) doubled in the fourth inning for what wound up being the only hit of the day for the Southern New Hampshire University softball team, as it was blanked by crosstown-rival Saint Anselm College, 9-0, in five innings Wednesday afternoon at South Athletic Field.

Both teams matched zeroes through the first two innings, before Saint Anselm reached senior Sarah Lavallee (Candia, N.H.) in the third. Megan Murrell's bases-loaded sacrifice fly to left brought in the game's first run, before Shannon Colson's two-out RBI single up the middle and Jordan O'Connor's two-run double to left made it 4-0 and ended Lavallee's day in the circle. Sophomore Maddy Barone (Halifax, Mass.) came on in relief and picked up a strikeout to end the inning.

After Sauvageau was stranded following her one-out double to the gap in left-center in the top of the fourth, the Hawks took advantage of an error to hang five-unearned runs on Barone in the home half. A bases-loaded fielder's choice grounder to second, which would have  been the third out of the inning had the error not occurred, instead resulted in a run scoring when Kat Stackrow beat the throw to the plate to get the force. Murrell then drew a walk with the bases still full, before Colson's RBI single up the middle and O'Connor's two-run double to left-center made it 9-0.

The Penmen went 1-2-3 for the third time in the fifth to end it.

Sauvageau was 1-for-2, while senior Katie Horiuchi (Livingston, N.J.) walked in her only at bat.

Lavallee (12-3) was charged with four runs on five hits, while striking out one and walking one, in two-and-two-thirds innings. Barone allowed five runs – all unearned – on two hits and a walks, while fanning one. Freshman Ali Atherton (Milford, Mass.) struck out the only batter she faced.

Notes:
- Southern New Hampshire was playing its seventh game in five days.
- The Hawks now lead, 19-13, in the Queen City Cup standings, following a win that all but wraps up Saint Anselm's first victory in the four-year battle for Manchester supremacy.

SNHU Cheer Aims to Continue Successful 2018 at NCA National Championships

MANCHESTER, N.H. – After capturing the All-Girl Division II crown as well as the Collegiate Grand Champion title at the New England Cheerleading Association (NECA) Collegiate Championships, the Southern New Hampshire University cheer team opens the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) College National Championships in Daytona Beach, Florida on Thursday. The Penmen compete it the preliminary round on Thursday before taking part in the finals on Friday.

Southern New Hampshire took the top spot in All-Girl Division II and garnered Grand Champion laurels on Saturday at the NECA Collegiate Championships at the Ryan Center on the campus of the University of Rhode Island. After turning in a solid performance in their 2:15 routine, the Penmen were named the No. 1 team in Division II. At the conclusion of the team awards, the judges conferred to determine which of the teams across Divisions I, II, III and Co-Ed would be named Grand Champion. Southern New Hampshire was announced as the NECA Grand Champion, as the topped perennial New England powers such as Boston University, Harvard University, Central Connecticut University, Fitchburg State University and Framingham State University.

"To be able to not only contend, but to best over a dozen team in the event is a huge milestone for this team and program," said head coach Michelle McCarty. "We are climbing, fighting and clawing our way to being one of the strongest NCA teams in the northeast."

Prior to make its trek to Daytona Beach, the SNHU cheer contingent hosted its annual Friend and Family Send-Off performance at the SNHU Fieldhouse. In front of a capacity crowd, the Penmen performed both their 45-second gameday routine as well as their NECA Championship-winning 2:15 skill routine to a deafening response. McCarty discussed the team's training regimen and work ethic this season, and each member of the squad described herself as well as her cheer background.

Southern New Hampshire will compete in the Division II All-Girl National Championships on Thursday and Friday. For live streaming of the event, as well as live results and schedule changes, CLICK HERE.

#21 Softball Bounces Back with 2-0 Blanking of Stonehill

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When and Where: April 2, 2018 – Hooksett, N.H. (SNHU Softball Field)
Score: Southern New Hampshire University 2, Stonehill College 0
Records: SNHU 21-5 (4-2 NE10, 2-2 NE10 NE), Stonehill 4-13 (3-4 NE10, 2-1 NE10 NE)

Senior Sarah Lavallee (Candia, N.H.) smacked a two-run double in the first inning and sophomore Maddy Barone (Halifax, Mass.) made it stand up by hurling a four-hit shutout, as the 21^st-ranked Southern New Hampshire University softball team blanked Stonehill College, 2-0, Monday afternoon at the SNHU Softball Field.

After being swept by the Skyhawks in the first two games of the series Saturday, Southern New Hampshire wasted no time jumping on the board, as it struck for two in the top of the first. Singles from sophomore Jordan Wade (E. Taunton, Mass.) and junior Erin Garczynski (Norwood, Mass.) provided the Penmen with base runners, before Lavallee delivered a towering two-out double that hit the top of the fence in right field and brought in a pair of runs.

The Penmen would leave the bases loaded in the third and stranded a pair of runners in the fifth, but it would not matter with Barone working efficiently from the circle. She only once was forced to work out of a jam with more than one runner on and that came in the fourth when she marooned runners at the corners.

Barone scattered four hits over her seven scoreless frames and struck out 10, while not issuing a walk.

Lavallee finished 1-for-1 with a pair of walks and two RBI. Garczynski (run) and Wade each went 2-for-4, with senior Brittany Perdigao (Stoughton, Mass.) going 1-for-4 with a run and classmate Katie Horiuchi (Livingston, N.J.) turning in a 1-for-3 afternoon.

Notes:
- Garczynski's pair of hits gave her 144 for her career, which moved her passed Karissa Bettencourt '09 and into ninth all-time – just one hit shy of matching former teammate Lindsey Bolduc '16 for eighth. Perdigao's base knock upped her career total to 157 to tie her with Felicia Brum '07 for fifth all-time.
- Barone's complete game was her 10^th of the season, while it was the second time this year she reached the 10-strikeout plateau.

What's Next:
Southern New Hampshire returns to action Wednesday, April 4 (4/6 p.m.) when it plays host to crosstown-rival Saint Anselm College in a doubleheader at the SNHU Softball Field.

Southern New Hampshire University Women’s Lacrosse Tipped by #4 Le Moyne, 15-4

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Recap, photo courtesy of SNHU

When and Where: March 30, 2018 – Manchester, N.H. (Penmen Stadium)
Score: Le Moyne College 15, Southern New Hampshire University 4
Records: Le Moyne 9-0 (5-0 NE10), SNHU 2-8 (1-5 NE10)

Junior Kristin Wilder (Framingham, Mass.) scored a pair of goals, as the Southern New Hampshire University women's lacrosse team was defeated by fourth-ranked Le Moyne College on Friday afternoon at Penmen Stadium.

Le Moyne moved out to a 5-0 lead over the opening 7:29 before doubling the advantage to 10-0 with 15:27 remaining. The Dolphins would add three more to bring a 13-0 lead into the break.

Senior Alexa Bedell (Londonderry, N.H.) would opened the second-half scoring just 1:44 in to put the Penmen on the board, before a pair of Bryanna Fazio goals sandwiched Wilder's first of the day to make it 15-2 with 12:35 on the clock. Wilder and senior Kennedy Daziel (E. Hampstead, N.H.) added free-position tallies to cap the scoring.

Notes:
- The Penmen lose for the sixth time in seven games.
- Junior goalkeeper Leah Olansky (Bennington, Vt.) made nine saves in the first half, while sophomore Alex Comeau (Haverhill, Mass.) stopped three of five shots for the second straight relief outing. Hanna George turned aside four of the six shots she faced in the first 49:38, while Emily Baldwin did not register a stop over the final 10:22.
- Le Moyne outshot Southern New Hampshire, 36-12, including 27-3 in the opening stanza, and also held a 19-2 advantage in draw controls.
- The Penmen were 3-for-6 on their free-position opportunities, while the Dolphins went 3-for-10.

Up Next:        
The Penmen are back in action Saturday, April 7 (1 p.m.) when they take on Assumption College. The next home game for SNHU is Friday, April 13 (4 p.m.) when it plays host to Southern Connecticut State University at Penmen Stadium.

#21 Merrimack Doubles-Up Women’s Lacrosse, 14-7

Recap, photo courtesy of SNHU

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When and Where: March 20, 2018 – No. Andover, Mass. (Merrimack Stadium)
Score: Merrimack College 14, Southern New Hampshire University 7
Records: Merrimack 4-3 (2-2 NE10), SNHU 1-6 (0-3 NE10)

Senior Alexa Bedell (Londonderry, N.H.) registered three goals and an assist for a team-high four points, but the Southern New Hampshire University women's lacrosse team was doubled-up by 21^st-ranked Merrimack College on Wednesday afternoon at Merrimack Stadium.

Senior Kennedy Daziel (E. Hampstead, N.H.) scored a pair of goals, with junior Mary Beth Sweeney (Foxborough, Mass.) equaling her two points with a pair of assists.

Merrimack held a 2-0 lead when Southern New Hampshire lit up the scoreboard for the first time at the 16:19 mark, with Sweeney finding Daziel to halve the Penmen deficit at 2-1. After the Warriors grabbed their two-goal lead back, Sweeney then set up Bedell with 14:01 remaining, before Bedell found the back of the net again 1:14 later to knot the game at 3-all.

Merrimack would move out to a 5-3 lead with less than nine minutes to play in the half, but junior Kristin Wilder (Framingham, Mass.) would score off a feed from Bedell to make it a one-goal game. Amber Feminella's fourth and fifth strikes of the opening stanza sandwiched a goal from sophomore Merry Harrington (Peabody, Mass.) to send the Warriors to the break with a 7-5 advantage.

Daziel and Bedell would answer goals from Bridget Schofield to begin the second half and keep it a two-goal contest at 9-7 nearly seven minutes in, but Merrimack would keep the Penmen off the scoreboard for the final 23:05 and find the back of the net five times itself to pull away.

Notes:             
- The Penmen, who have dropped four straight, have had six of the seven games on their schedule this season come against opponents that are nationally-ranked.
- Junior goalkeeper Leah Olansky (Bennington, Vt.) made 10 saves, while Merrimack's Tammy Nguyen turned aside two shots in the opening half, with Lauren Trepaney stopping two of four in the second stanza.
- Merrimack outshot Southern New Hampshire, 30-22, while SNHU held a 12-11 edge in draw controls.
- The Warriors were 3-for-9 on their free-position chances, while the Penmen were just 1-for-5.

Up Next:        
The Penmen are back in action Saturday, March 24 (12 p.m.) when they play host to Franklin Pierce University at Penmen Stadium.

#2 Adelphi Hands Women’s Lacrosse 17-4 Defeat

When and Where: March 17, 2018 – Garden City, N.Y. (Motamed Field)
Score: Adelphi University 17, Southern New Hampshire University 4
Records: Adelphi 5-1 (4-0 NE10), SNHU 1-5 (0-2 NE10)

Junior Kristin Wilder (Framingham, Mass.) and senior Kennedy Daziel (E. Hampstead, N.H.) each recorded two points, but the Southern New Hampshire University women's lacrosse team fell to second-ranked Adelphi University on Saturday at Motamed Field.

Wilder scored a pair of goals, while Daziel notched a goal and an assist.

Wilder staked Southern New Hampshire to a 1-0 lead just 49 seconds into the game, but Adelphi would answer with seven straight – with six different Panthers scoring goals – to open up a 7-1 advantage with 12:55 remaining in the opening half.

Daziel would score an unassisted tally more than two-and-a-half minutes later, but Adelphi responded with two more to make it a seven-goal game with under three minutes to go. Daziel then set up sophomore Stephanie Barr (Lowell, Mass.) with just nine seconds on the clock to trim the SNHU halftime deficit to 9-3.

Adelphi would open up the second half with four straight goals to extend its lead to 13-3 more than 11 minutes in. Wilder found the back of the net on a free position at the 12:17 mark and the Penmen would not score again. The Panthers scored four more times to put the game away.

Notes:             
- Junior goalkeeper Leah Olansky (Bennington, Vt.) made 12 saves over the opening 47:43 of action, while sophomore Alex Comeau (Haverhill, Mass.) turned aside three of seven shots over the final 12:17. Emma Lemanski stopped three of six shots for Adelphi over the initial 44:37, with Hailey Peterson making one save in 15:23 of relief.
- Adelphi outshot Southern New Hampshire, 50-13, including 25-3 in the second stanza, and held a 23-7 advantage in draw controls.
- The Penmen went 1-for-3 on free-position chances, while the Panthers were just 1-for-6 on their opportunities.

Up Next:        
The Penmen are back in action Tuesday, March 20 (4 p.m.) when they take on Merrimack College. The next home game for SNHU is Saturday, March 24 (12 p.m.) when it plays host to Franklin Pierce University at Penmen Stadium.

#3 Pace Pulls Away from Men’s Lax in Second Half for 17-9 Win

When and Where: March 17, 2018 – Pleasantville, N.Y. (Pace Stadium)
Score: Pace University 17, Southern New Hampshire University 9
Records: Pace 3-1 (2-0 NE10), SNHU 2-2 (0-1 NE10)

Senior Chris West (Albany, N.Y.) notched a career-best four points and classmate Michael Brawley (Tewksbury, Mass.) made a career-high 17 saves, but the Southern New Hampshire University men's lacrosse team was upended by third-ranked Pace University, 17-9, Saturday in its Northeast-10 opener at Pace Stadium.

West scored twice and handed out a pair of helpers. Seniors Mark Beirne (Hooksett, N.H.) and Corey Cairo (Shoreham, N.Y.) each scored two goals, while junior Tom Schutz (Trumbull, Conn.) dished a pair of assists. Senior Cam Rewucki (Dover, N.H.) also registered two points with a goal and an assist.

Pace scored the first three goals of the game over the opening 6:58 before Cairo found the back of the net at the 7:48 mark off a West assist to get on the board. The Setters responded with 7:06 to play in the first quarter before junior Andrew Liu (Piedmont, Calif.) capped the scoring just 15 seconds later to trim the Penmen deficit to 4-2 going to the second stanza.

Beirne pulled SNHU within 4-3 less than five minutes in, but Pace scored three of the next four goals to open a 7-4 advantage with 6:14 left before the break. Schutz set up a strike from freshman Cole Jacobsen (Dartmouth, Mass.) with 1:41 to go and then Rewucki made it 7-6 with just eight seconds on the clock to trim the halftime gap.

Pace stretched the lead to 9-6 to open the second half before West potted his second of the game at the 11:40 mark. Liam Brennan would score three times, however, as the Setters tallied the final four goals of the third quarter to extend the lead to 13-7.

Pace put it away with three goals to begin the fourth quarter, making it 16-7 less than five minutes in. Cairo scored off a pass from Schutz with 7:32 remaining, while West connected on a feed to Beirne 59 seconds later to make it a 16-9 game. Pace would cap the scoring at the 5:13 mark.

Notes:
- Pace captured 17 of the game's 30 faceoffs and held a 48-28 advantage in shots, including 15-6 in the third quarter.
- Brawley stopped 17 of the 33 shots he faced over the opening 59:26, while freshman Oscar Kozikowski (Portsmouth, N.H.) only saw one bid in the final 34 seconds. Pace goalie Robert Beshlian made 12 saves.

Up Next:
The Penmen are back in action Saturday, March 24 (1 p.m.) when they take on No. 8 Adelphi University. The next home game for SNHU is Tuesday, March 27 (7 p.m.) when it plays host to crosstown-rival and 17^th-ranked Saint Anselm College at Penmen Stadium.