By Vin Gallo
Deputy Sports Editor
The men’s and women’s lacrosse program are poised to be that two-headed dragon that will terrorize New England competition this spring. The two teams are off to a promising start. The women outmuscled cross town rival Western New England in its season opening tilt at Stagg, 16-10, while the men broke the heart of Nazareth College in its opener after storming back from an 8-5 fourth quarter deficit.
Both programs’ have players who already receiving NEWMAC recognitions. Springfield goalkeeper Jake Reynolds was named the NEWMAC Defensive Athlete of the Week. Reynolds kept a formidable opponent in Nazareth within striking distance early in the opener as he collected eight of his 14 saves in the first quarter. He slammed the door shut on the Golden Flyers retaliation attempt late in the fourth after Springfield claimed the lead. The junior held Nazareth to four goals in crunch time, which proved to be one score short of tying the game for the Flyers.
Springfield lacrosse was also represented on the offensive side of the field, as the women’s Shelby Corsano corralled yet another NEWMAC Offensive Player of the Week honor. The junior star turned in an all-around offensive performance, as the attacker from Bourne began her 2017 campaign with five goals and seven draw controls. Corsano netted a program high 56 goals last year, and after scoring five in only the first contest, she may be able to catch and break her own record and possibly reach 60 goals.
The men’s next game is against Stevens on Wednesday at home. The women’s next contest is also a host game, as the Pride will face off against Eastern Connecticut State.