Graham nets five goals in loss to Falcons

Fitchburg, MA-- Fitchburg State's Eva Kozikowski and Julia Miele each scored five goals and added two assists in leading the Falcons to a convincing 23-11 win over the MCLA Trailblazers this evening at Eliot Field.  The Falcons are now 6-10 overall and pick up their first MASCAC win in improving to 1-5.  MCLA is 1-9 on the season and 0-5 in the conference.

Both teams started out strong on the offensive side.  Seven minutes in the Falcons held a 3-2 edge over MCLA as Julia Graham netted both goals for the Trailblazers.  Fitchburg answered with a 4-0 spurt as Kozikowski potted two goals to jump out to a 7-2 lead.  MCLA would close the quarter strong as they closed to within 7-5 in the final 1:11 of the first quarter.  Sara Tomkiewicz scored twice and when Summer Nichols converted a Stephanie Contreras feed, it was 7-5 in favor of Fitchburg and the end of one.

The teams traded goals at the start of the second quarter before the Falcons would outscore MCLA 9-1 over the final ten minutes to take a commanding 17-7 lead at halftime.

Fitchburg extended the lead to 21-9 after three quarters and wasn't threatened from there.

Falcon Delaney Ponder chipped in with three goals and two assists in the win.  Abaigeal Gilman collected three goals as well.  Alyson Cote earned the win in goal as she played most of the first half.

MCLA was led by Julia Graham who netted five goals and an assist in the loss.  Tomkiewicz ended with 3 goals.

Lori Lester collected 14 saves on the night.

MCLA is back at home on Thursday night when they host Bridgewater State.