BUFFALO, N.Y. – Hosting their home opener away from campus today, the Hilbert College women's lacrosse team defeated Wells College (7-5) off the sticks of four different Hawks to claim their first victory of the 2014 season.  Megan Smith netted three times while Kelly Hagenbuch added her first two collegiate goals for Hilbert (1-3) who hosted the game at Nichols High School in North Buffalo. 

Hilbert fired 10 more shots on frame, earned 15 more ground balls and had one fewer turnover than the Express (0-3) as the Hawks beat Wells for the first time in their two-year varsity series.

Kylie Reinholz lead the Hawks with six ground balls and Chantelle Mikolajczak found ways to fire five shots on frame, though none connected for scores.

Wells' Lexi Roberson matched Smith's goal production, but Smith was involved in more facets of the game.  The rookie finished with seven shots, three ground balls and three draw control victories while going 1 for 1 on free position shots.

Stephanie Glaza captured her first win in goal for Hilbert and she was credited with six saves in the sixty-minute game.  Brooke Spanbauer made nine saves for the visitors as she faced 25 Hilbert shots.

With a 3-3 tie at the break, both teams knew it was going to be a tough second half.  Smith opened the scoring at 23:50 and Wells tied it for the first time at 17:33.  Smith scored another unassisted goal beating the defender to the frame just thirty-seconds later.  In a span of five minutes, Roberson scored her first and Shianne Stokes earned her second of the day to give Wells their first, and only lead of the day.  With 6:43 remaining in the first half, Kelly Hagenbuch took a Robbi Bailey pass and knotted the game at 3-3 before the break.

Seven minutes into the second period, Hagenbuch picked up the loose ball in front of the Wells pocket and found the back of the net reclaiming the lead.  Roberson and Smith each struck again before Ashley Viengmay grabbed her first goal and the game winner.  Roberson hit again to cut the Hawks lead to 6-5 but, at 6:31 Nikki Schneider gave Hilbert the cushion they needed for their win.

The Hawks will be road travelers this week.  They head to Houghton College March 26 for a 7pm under-the-lights game and then travel to Baldwin Wallace next Friday, March 28 for another night game (7:30).   

Fans can follow both games either by live streaming video (3/26) or live stats (3/28).  They return to Western New York for a Sunday, March 30th home game against the University of Rochester at 2pm.