WHITTIER, Calif. - The Saint Mary's lacrosse team never trailed in a 19-8 win at Whittier on Sunday afternoon.

 

Erin Doyle gave the Belles a quick lead with a goal in the opening minute of play. The Poets responded with a goal a minute and a half later, but Bridget Kane and Doyle tallied back-to-back goals for Saint Mary's for a 3-1 lead. The Belles and the Poets traded one goal for two as each time Whitter scored once, Saint Mary's came back with two goals over the remainder of the half. Molly Stout and Kendra Osinski provided a one-two punch to make it 5-2 lead, and Doyle and Shannon McCloskey scored within 12 seconds of one another for a 7-3 advantage with 13:21 on the clock. Doyle and Osinski then posted the back-to-back goals for a 9-4 advantage, and Kate Kelly and Doyle closed out the half with a goal each for an 11-5 lead at the break.

 

Shannon McCloskey started the second period with a goal, but the Poets responded with a quick goal and added a second goal to make it a 12-7 game with 16:42 on the clock. The Belles, however, distanced themselves for good against host Whittier as Saint Mary's rattled off five consecutive goals over the next eight minutes of play. McCloskey capped off the hat trick, Gabby Belsito tallied a goal, Kate Kelly scored twice within the span of a minute, and Erin Doyle added another goal to put the Belles up 17-7. Whittier cut the lead to nine goals with 6:10 to play, but Doyle put Saint Mary's up 18-8 with 5:42 to play and added a goal in the final two minutes for the 19-8 margin of victory.

 

Erin Doyle paced the Belles with eight goals and four assists. The 12 points in a game sets a new program record for points in a single contest as Doyle breaks her own previous record of 11 points (eight goals, three assists). Kate Kelly had a strong all-around game with three goals, three assists, 10 ground balls, six draw controls, and four caused turnovers. Shannon McCloskey registered her first career hat trick by scoring on each of the three shots she took in the contest. Kendra Osinski posted two goals, and Gabby Belsito added a goal and an assist. Bridget Kane and Molly Stout had one goal each for the Belles. Emily Kraker made seven saves and added two caused turnovers and two ground balls en route to the win in goal.