Bay Path Women's Lacrosse Tops Mitchell in Record-Setting Game 26-16

Wildcats Honor three seniors Jackson, Neary and Roy in Postgame Ceremony

Box Score: http://athletics.baypath.edu/sports/wlax/2016-17/boxscores/20170418_ukdf.xml

 LONGMEADOW, Mass. – It was an afternoon for national and program records at Ryan Field as the Bay Path University women's lacrosse team claimed a 26-16 victory over Mitchell College in New England Collegiate Conference Tuesday afternoon.

The 26 goals established a Bay Path program record, eclipsing the previous high of 22 goals in a 22-2 victory over Dean College in this year's season opener on March 9.

The Wildcats were led by junior Kaylee Herring (Worcester, Vt.) who surpassed junior teammate Elena Helming's (Maplewood, N.J.) previous single-game record of nine set in a 12-10 loss to Albertus Magnus on April 14, 2016.

Not to be outdone, Mitchell senior Ashley Murtha (South Windsor, Conn.) set an NCAA Division III record, becoming the first Division III player in history to score 15 goals in a single game.  Murtha's 15-goal performance topped the previous record of 14 set by Ann Clark of Worcester State in 2004 and matched by Hillary Kargl of Augustana (Ill.) in 2012.  

Only one other NCAA women's lacrosse player has scored 15 goals in a game, as Nyack's Lauren Lebo set the Division II single-game mark in 2016. The Division I record is 12.

For Bay Path, Helming and senior Dallas Jackson (Springfield, Mass.) added six goals apiece, while senior Brenna Roy (Stafford Springs, Conn.) scored three and freshman Elizabeth Pavlidis (Torrington, Conn.) chipped in one. Herring and Roy each led the Wildcats with two assists apiece, while Helming and sophomore Megan McKenna (Bennington, Vt.) each added one helper.

Senior Willeen Pun (Stamford, Conn.) scored the only other Mitchell goal and was credited with the Mariners' only assist.

Apart from her record-setting performance on offense, Murtha led all players with nine ground balls. 12 draw controls, and five caused turnovers.

Wildcat freshman Kristina Tran (Agawam, Mass.) registered 10 saves, while Mitchell netminder freshman Gillian MacLellan (Hebron, Maine) made eight. 

Bay Path outshot Mitchell 39-32, while Mitchell held a 12-8 advantage in ground balls and a claimed a narrow 20-19 edge in draw controls.

Bay Path honored its three departing seniors in their final home match including Jackson, Roy and senior defender Raquel Neary (Revere, Mass.).

The Wildcats (3-6 overall, 2-5 NECC) return to action Thursday at NECC rival Newbury at 4:00 p.m. Next up for Mitchell (2-6,1-5 is a conference matchup at Daniel Webster Saturday at noon.