READING, PA – The York College women's lacrosse squad opened MAC Commonwealth play with a 17-3 win over Albright College on a brisk Saturday morning in Reading.
The Spartans, playing their first game of the year against a non-ranked opponent, got going early and never stopped. York notched a second half shutout as the Lions were unable to score over the final 40:18 of the contest.
The #14 Spartans improve to 4-6 overall and 1-0 in the league while the Lions fall to 1-10 overall and 0-1 in the league.
 
How It Happened
• The Spartans got the scoring started early as they struck for their first goal just 31 seconds into  the game. Natalie Neiman found an open Zoe Klugel for the game's opening tally. The Lions answered with a Kayte Moist tally just over a minute and a half later to tie the game at one. Gianna Huet put York back on top with a man down goal off a Sydney Mentzer assist. Albright again answered with a Riley Basht tally with 9:02 mark of the first quarter.
• The Spartans seized firm control of the game midway through the first quarter. York ripped off four straight goals to end the first quarter as they took a 6-2 lead after 15 minutes of play. Madison Kurland, Huet, Kluegel, and Juliana Silvernale scored during the run for the Green and White.
• The Spartans kicked off the second quarter scoring 38 seconds into the period with a second Silvernale goal off a pass from Huet. Huet then scored a goal of her own of a pass from Krista Yarusso to make it 8-2 York. Moist ended the Spartan run with her second goal of the game at the 10:18 mark of the second quarter but the Spartans ended the quarter with three more goals to take an 11-3 halftime lead. Sofie Steel, Jen Campbell, and Huet each scored on the three-goal run.
• For the third straight quarter, the Green and White kicked off the scoring with a Kurland goal 1:59 into the third. Kurland made it back-to-back goals as she netted a tally five minutes later to push the lead to 13-3. Kate Walsh notched her first goal of the game as she was stopped on a free position shot but scooped up the rebound and put it home for the goal.
• The third quarter lacked offensive punch as both teams had four turnovers while there were only a combined nine shots in the quarter.
• York opened the fourth with their quickest goal of the day to start a quarter, striking a mere 16 seconds into the period. Kate Feldman picked up a loose ball and hit a streaking Steel for the easy one-timer as the Spartan lead grew to 15-3. Kiera McPhillips notched the Spartans' 16^th goal on a free position shot and Steel recorded her second goal of the quarter with 6:54 remaining in the game, providing the Spartans' final margin of victory.
 
By The Numbers
The Spartans finished the game holding a 35-15 edge in total shots and a 28-10 edge in shots on goal … the Spartans won the battle of ground balls 24-13 … the Spartans were solid on the clear, converting 18-of-19 shots but the Lions were just 8-for-14 in the clear as the Spartan defense harassed Albright into 21 turnovers, ten of which were caused by York … the Spartans had 13 turnovers, eight of which occurred in the second half … Albright made 11 saves to seven for the Green and White … the Lions out-drew the Spartans 13-10 .. York was 4-for-7 in free position shots for the game while Albright was 0-for-2.
 
Spartan Notes
The Spartans improve to 4-0 all-time against the Lions as all four contests have come as MAC Commonwealth opponents … the victory runs the Spartans' regular season Commonwealth winning streak to 21 straight …  the 17 goals were a season high for the Spartans as were the 11 assists … York tied a season-high with four free position goals … York is now 21-for-41 in free position chances for the year … York notched their third player down goal of the year … the three goals allowed set a season-best mark defensively for the Spartans … York has reached double figures in goals in six games … junior Gianna Huet notched a season-high five points on four goals and one assist while she also had a season-high two ground balls …Madison Kurland and Sofie Steel each had three goals for three points for York … Steel tied her career high with the three goals … Zoe Kluegel and Juliana Silvernale each contributed two goals and assist for the Green and White … Sydney Mentzer set a new career-high with three assists while she also had two ground balls and a caused turnover … freshman Kiera McPhillips recorded her first career goal in the win … defender Christina Vendalis recorded five draws and one ground ball for the Spartans while Katie Jeans added two draws of her own … defender Sarah Christensen notched three caused turnovers and three ground balls while Madison Hamilton chipped in with two caused turnovers and a ground ball … freshman goalie Audrey Simoes had a great outing as she shutout the Lions in the second half with a career-high seven saves.
 
Up Next
The Spartans return to action on Sunday afternoon with a trip to the University of Mary Washington to face the Eagles in a non-conference make-up game. The game was scheduled for last Wednesday but the heavy rains in the Fredericksburg area forced the postponement. First draw for the game is scheduled for 2:00 pm.