News

December 28, 2011
Lesley Athletics 2011 Year in Review
With four teams competing in NCAA Tournament play and three others opening inaugural seasons as NCAA sports, here's a look at one of the most successful years in the history of the Lynx in our 2011 Year in Review.

June 23, 2011
NCAA honors Mangiaratti as national runs leader
The NCAA has announced that Lesley leadoff hitter Emily Mangiaratti led all players in the nation in runs per game in 2011. The sophomore averaged 1.42 runs per game in leading the Lynx to the NCAA Tournament.

June 7, 2011
Nine Lynx among 89 Academic All-NECC Student-Athletes
Nine Lesley University students were among the 89 Academic All-NECC student-athletes for the spring semester, the league announced Tuesday.

June 6, 2011
Women's teams win third straight NECC Champions Cup
For a third consecutive year, Lesley University's women's athletics teams captured the NECC's Champion's Cup, the league's sport-wide winnings leader board. Three of Lesley's six women's teams won NECC titles, with two more making the NECC championship game.

June 1, 2011
Durben named NECC Student-Athlete of the Year
Lesley women's soccer and softball all-star Alyson Durben has been named NECC Female Student-Athlete of the Year, an honor the league reserves for its top graduating senior based on a career of outstanding athletic, academic and community accomplishments.

May 16, 2011
Three Lynx players named to NFCA All-New England Teams
After the most successful season in Lynx softball history, three Lesley University players have been honored by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association in being named to the NFCA's All-New England teams, the top regional honor.

May 13, 2011
Free video of Lynx in NCAA Tourney vs. Endicott, 12 p.m.
Click here to watch free live streaming video of Lesley's NCAA Tournament game vs. Endicott College, the No. 3 seed in the Providence, RI region. First pitch will be just after 12:05 p.m. Right fielder Maria Nazzaro will get her first career start in the leadoff spot.

May 13, 2011
Late comeback falls short as Lynx succumb to Gulls, 4-2
Lesley's seventh-inning, two-out comeback fell short Friday, as the No. 7 Lynx lost to No. 3 Endicott College in NCAA Tournament play, 4-2. Lesley finishes its season 29-7 after a 16-0 record in league play and the program's second-ever NCAA Tournament appearance.

May 12, 2011
NCAA Preview: NCAA's top staffs meet in RI
Six of the nation's top 22 pitching staffs are among the eight teams in Lesley's Providence, RI region of the NCAA Tournament, where the Lynx will take on Coast Guard in their First Round match-up on Thursday at 4:00 p.m.

May 12, 2011
Lynx in NCAA Tourney: Watch LIVE with free video
Watch Lesley's NCAA First Round game against nationally-ranked U.S. Coast Guard Academy with FREE video coverage of the game. First pitch is expected after 4:30 p.m. at the Dayna A. Bazar Softball Facility.

May 12, 2011
Lynx lose wild one in NCAA opener, 7-4 to Coast Guard
Lesley fell short in its upset bid of nationally-ranked Coast Guard, losing to the No. 6 team in the nation in a wild contest in Providence. Jenn Dorval pitched solid in relief, catcher Molly Sarson went 1-for-3 with a run, and Nicole Mercurio added an RBI single. Lesley will now face third-seeded Endicott Friday at noon.

May 9, 2011
NECC Champion Lynx draw Coast Guard in NCAA Tourney
Lesley University will take on Coast Guard during the NCAA Tournament on Thursday at 4:00 p.m. All-NECC First Teamer Alyson Durben and NECC Player of the Year Jenn Dorval's Lynx will travel to Providence, RI for their NCAA First Round matchup.

May 9, 2011
Five first-teamers as Lynx win big on NECC awards
Five Lesley softball players were named to the All-NECC First Team, including Jenn Dorval, who captured NECC Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year honors, and Cassandra Knox, who was named NECC Pitcher of the Year for a second straight year.

May 7, 2011
Tourney-bound: Lynx head back to NCAA Tournament with fourth straight championship, 3-1 over Elms
Lesley earned its fourth league title in a row with a 3-1 win over Elms College in Saturday's NECC Championship. Cassandra Knox pitched the Lynx to victory for a second straight NECC title game, throwing a complete-game three hitter while Alyson Durben's two-run double proved to be the difference-maker.

May 6, 2011
Lynx advance in NECC's with shutout of Newbury
Jenn Dorval hurled a one-hit shutout, striking out 12, while Maria Nazzaaro went 2-for-3 with two RBIs in Lesley's 8-0 NECC Tournament win over No. 5 Newbury College Friday morning. In other second round action, Elms shut out Mitchell, 5-0.

May 6, 2011
Lesley back in championship after 4-1 win over Elms
Jenn Dorval threw four shutout innings in relief of Cassandra Knox to improve to 15-2, and Nicole Mercurio's two-run double lifted the Lynx to a 4-1 win over Elms. Coach Jen Benway's Lynx now look to for a third straight NECC Championship in tomorrow's noon title game against either Elms or Mitchell.

May 5, 2011
Lesley ready to host NECC's in search of trip to NCAA's
Winners of 16 straight games, Lesley looks for its fourth straight NECC title, this time with a trip to the NCAA Tournament on the line, starting tomorrow when the top-seeded Lynx take on No. 5 Newbury.

April 30, 2011
Senior day sweep caps undefeated NECC finish
Cassandra Knox pitched her third no-hitter of the month of April, this time combining with Nicole Mercurio on the no-no. Captain Alyson Durben went 4-for-7 on her Senior Day, including this stand-up triple in the first inning of Game 1, as Lesley finished NECC play 16-0 by winning its 16th straight.

April 29, 2011
Knox throws one-hitter in Game 1, earns save in Game 2
Cassandra Knox tossed a one-hit shutout in Lesley's 8-0 Game 1 win at Mitchell and pitched fellow starter Jenn Dorval out of a seventh-inning pickle in their team's 4-2 Game 2 victory, the 14th straight for the first-place Lynx.

April 28, 2011
Freshmen lead Lynx to record-tying 12th straight win
Jenn Dorval improved to 11-2 on the year with a 6-0 shutout of Regis College Thursday afternoon. Fellow freshman Maria Nazzaro went 2-for-3 with two RBIs to lead the offense as Lesley tied a program record with its 12th win in a row, remaining undefeated at home at 9-0.

April 26, 2011
Lynx lock up first with sweep of second-place Elms
Stellar pitching from starters Cassandra Knox and Jenn Dorval and an offense fueled by captain Alyson Durben locked up a pair of victories and another first-place finish for the Lynx as Lesley blanked Elms, 1-0 and 3-0, Tuesday.

April 25, 2011
Knox notches third straight Pitcher of the Week award
For the third straight week, Lynx starting pitcher Cassandra Knox has notched New England Collegiate Conference Pitcher of the Week honors.

April 22, 2011
Knox throws another no-no as Lesley moves to 10-0
NECC Pitcher of the Week Cassandra Knox threw her second straight home no-hitter, as Lesley improved to 10-0 in league play with 9-0 and 19-1 wins over visiting Wheelock Friday evening.

April 20, 2011
Getting offensive: Lynx leading nation in runs scored
From leadoff hitter Emily Mangiaratti to No. 9 hitter Maria Nazzaro, Lesley's lineup has gotten contributions from top to bottom, and then back around, in becoming the nation's leading offense during its seven-game winning streak.

April 18, 2011
Lynx Brixey, Knox, Apgar earn NECC weekly awards
Outfielder Gaby Brixey was named NECC Player of the Week, starter Cassandra Knox notched the league's Pitcher of the Week award for a second straight week, and shortstop Sarah Apgar's power surge earned Rookie of the Week honors. Apgar crushed two grand slams in one inning on Saturday.

April 17, 2011
Knox one-hitter, Brixey blast ignite sweep of Bay Path
Cassandra Knox held an opponent to one hit for the second time this week, and Gaby Brixey homered and drove in four on the day as Lesley's offense continued its rampant production in a pair of road wins at Bay Path, crushing the Wildcats 11-0 and 14-0.

April 16, 2011
Apgar crushes two grand slams as Lynx rout Newbury
Sarah Apgar crushed a pair of grand slams in the second inning of Game 2, and fellow freshman Jenn Dorval went a combined 7-for-8 with five runs scored and four RBIs in a pair of five-inning wins for the Lynx, 17-1 and 19-0 over Newbury.

April 14, 2011
Lynx move to 4-0 in NECC with pair of big wins over SVC
Cassandra Knox one-hit the Mountaineers in Game 1, and freshman Nicole Mercurio provided not only a shutout, but a 4-for-4 day at the plate, as the Lynx earned two wins on the road over Southern Vermont Thursday evening.

April 11, 2011
Knox NECC Pitcher of the Week, Dorval Rookie of the Week
After leading their teams to a 4-2 week and 2-0 start to league play, Lesley University pitchers Cassandra Knox and Jennifer Dorval have been named New England Collegiate Conference Pitcher of the Week and Rookie of the Week

April 11, 2011
Eight-run fifth lifts Lynx in five, 9-1 over Emmanuel
An eight-run explosion in the fifth inning rocketed the Lynx to a 9-1 victory over Emmanuel in five innings Monday night at Roberto Clemente Field. Center fielder Alyson Durben got the Lynx on the board with her second home run of the season in the fourth.

April 10, 2011
Late comeback falls short as Lynx drop pair
A four-run seventh-inning, Game 2 comeback came up short as Lesley fell to Wellesley, 8-7, after dropping the opener by the score of 6-2. Junior Gabrielle Brixey homered, scored twice and drove in two on the day.

April 10, 2011
Red-hot Lynx look to make it eight straight at Wellesley
Emily Mangiaratti, Cassandra Knox and the Lynx look to make it eight straight wins on Sunday at Wellesley.

April 9, 2011
No can do: Knox no-hitter leads Lesley sweep of Becker
Cassandra Knox's no-hitter led Lesley's doubleheader sweep of Becker College on Saturday in Cambridge, as the Lynx topped the Hawks 8-0 and 10-2. The junior's first career no-hitter hurried the Lynx to a 2-0 start in NECC play, as Lesley won for a seventh straight game and ninth time in 10 games.

April 7, 2011
Five in a row for Lynx: Lesley zaps Lasers in double dip
Ashley Cunningham homered in Game 1 and Jenna Fralick went deep in the nightcap, as pitchers Cassandra Knox and Jenn Dorval limited the Lasers to nine hits over a pair of Lynx victories, 3-2 and 9-3, over Lasell on Thursday.

March 31, 2011
Lesley rallies in opener, slams Rams in nightcap
Ashley Cunningham's three run homer got the Lynx on the board in Game 1, which Molly Sarson ended with a walk-off single in Lesley's 8-7 come-from-behind victory over Framingham State. Jenn Dorval twirled a one-hitter in fanning nine and shutting out the Rams in Game 2.

March 29, 2011
Lynx gobble up Gators in five, 12-4
Four different Lynx scored two runs each, including Jenna Fralick, who went 2-for-3 in Lesley's 12-4, five-inning win over Pine Manor on Tuesday.

March 23, 2011
Lynx junior Brixey gets a taste of the pros
Lesley outfielder Gabrielle Brixey has accepted an internship with National Pro Fastpitch's Akron Racers. A sports management major, Brixey will work full-time for the Racers, obtaining a behind-the-scenes look at how the sport she's grown up playing operates at its highest professional level.

March 10, 2011
Lynx wrap up Florida trip with loss to Muhlenberg
Lesley finished its Florida trip 3-4 after an 8-1 loss to Muhlenberg. Gabrielle Brixey singled home Jenna Fralick for the team's only run.

March 9, 2011
Big games for Mangiaratti, Durben cap Lynx perfect day
Emily Mangiaratti went 4-for-4 with a double and Alyson Durben wento 2-for-4 with a first inning three-run homer in Lesley's 9-1 win over Finlandia. Jen Dorval owned opposing hitters, striking out seven in the six-inning complete game.

March 9, 2011
Five-run first lifts Lynx over Gators, 9-5
Lesley exploded for five runs in the first, too much for Sage to overcome in the Lynx 9-5 victory. Four Lynx collected two hits each, including Gaby Brixey, who scored three times, and Alyson Durben, who drove in two.

March 7, 2011
Errors mark Lynx unraveling in loss to E-Town
Eight Lesley errors led to eight unearned Blue Jays runs, too much to overcome in the Lynx 11-8 loss to Elizabethtown. Gaby Brixey was one of five Lesley players with two hits, including this two-run triple.

March 7, 2011
Lynx give way to Fighting Scots, 10-5
Lesley fell to 1-3 with a 10-5 loss to Monmouth (IL) Tuesday night at the Dot Richardson National Training Center. Seniors Alyson Durben and Ashley Cunningham collected two hits for a second straight game, each going 2-for-3 with an RBI.

March 6, 2011
Yellowjackets swarm Lynx in season opener
Lesley dropped its season opener to the University of Rochester Sunday afternoon at the Dot Richardson National Training Center, falling to the Yellowjackets, 10-0.

March 6, 2011
Dorval dominates as Lynx pick up first win
Freshman starter Jennifer Dorval shut Penn State Behrend down over five shutout innings, limiting the Lions to two hits and striking out eight in the Lynx 9-0 win. Emily Mangiaratti went 2-for-2 with three runs scored and two RBIs.

February 15, 2011
Reigning champs tie for first in NECC preseason poll
Both Lesley and Elms College were selected for first place in the NECC preseason poll, with each team receiving four first-place votes. From last year's team that went 15-1 in league play, Lesley returns eight starters, including NECC Pitcher of the Year Cassandra Knox.

December 16, 2010
Durben crowned captain of 2011 Lynx
Softball senior center fielder Alyson Durben was named captain of the 2011 Lynx, head coach Jen Benway announced. An all-conference honoree in all of her first three seasons, Durben will lead the reigning New England Collegiate Conference Champions in search of a third straight NECC title.

December 14, 2010
Softball team completes third annual coat drive
Lesley softball completed its third annual coat drive. In collaboration with the Lesley Community Service Club, more than 100 coats and winter accessories were raised for donation throughout Cambridge. Pictured are softball's Emily Mangiaratti and Ashley Cunningham.

November 9, 2010
Lynx infielders lauded by NFCA for academic success
Lesley University infielders Georgia Saltzamn and Jessica Guevara were recognized by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association with 2009-10 NFCA Scholar-Athlete Awards for their success in the classroom over the most recent academic year.

June 2, 2010
Benway recruiting hard after her third conference title
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The dust has settled on the third conference championship in-a-row for the Lesley University softball team, but the excitement of another successful season has only pushed Head Coach Jen Benway harder towards improving her program even more. This summer’s recruiting process will prove to be the most important of her career as Lesley and the rest of the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) look towards an automatic qualifying bid into the NCAA Tournament in the spring of 2011.