BY MORGAN TURNER '20 AND KARI FOSSUM '21
CROSS COUNTRY
The Lyons took third place out of a field of nine teams at their first meet of the season, the Jim Sheehan Memorial Invitational, at Fitchburg State University. Just behind Worcester State and Springfield College, Mount Holyoke scored 79 points. All seven scoring Lyons finished in the top 35 during the competition. Crossing the line first for the Lyons was Sydney Nash ’22 with a time of 20:27.1; her time earned her 8th overall. Following Nash was Corrin Moss ’19 with a time of 20:43.9 in 11th place and Simone Jacob ’21 in 17th with a personal best time of 20:51.3.
FIELD HOCKEY
The Lyons traveled to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on Sept. 2, bringing home a win in their first game of the season. Mount Holyoke’s Kristina Ramsden ’19 led the scoring with two goals over the course of play. She landed the first goal only seven minutes into the game and also scored the game-winner. Kass Lawrence ’22 contributed with the first goal of her collegiate career. Goalkeeper Morgan Turner ’20 recorded four saves to keep the home team at bay. The RPI Engineers led the field 16-3 in penalty corners and 24-18 in shots, but the Lyons ultimately came out on top. Ramsden was awarded Lyon of the Week honors.
SOCCER
The Lyons picked up their first victory on Sept. 1 during their home-opener against Simmons College. Captain Dale Leonheart ’19 opened up scoring in the second half off the foot of a Simmons defender. Simmons answered back 16 minutes later with a shot of their own, but a penalty shot by Avia Jacobs ’19 was enough to keep the visitors at bay. Goalkeeper Amanda Manaster ’19 recorded nine saves in the win, and her performance earned her NEWMAC Defensive Athlete of the Week honors.
VOLLEYBALL
The Lyons went 1-1 during their season-opening tournament at New England College. Although falling in three to Wentworth Institute during their first game, the team bounced back to claim a 3-1 victory over New England College. Captain Jamesa Allen ’19 led the competitors with a match-high 19 kills in the victory. Additionally, Allen had two block solos and a block assist. Battling from behind after dropping the first set, the Lyons won the second, third and fourth by at least three points each. Captain Sarah Caggiano ’19 contributed 12 kills as well as three service aces and nine digs, and Sasha Simine ’20 added 10 kills, two digs and three block solos.