The women's lacrosse team dropped a game in the SUNYAC this week, falling in a nail-biter to SUNY Oneonta on Tuesday, but only after two dominating matches against Utica College and SUNY Morrisville over the weekend.
Their ranking improved to 7-3 overall and 2-2 in SUNYAC play.
The Lady Knights were riding high into Tuesday's home game against Oneonta, having won by a combined 39-8 against Utica and Morrisville. Unfortunately, Geneseo finally ran into a comparable opponent, losing 11-10 in a thrilling contest.
At the outset, it seemed as though the Lady Knights were on their way to another blowout, taking a 3-0 lead six minutes into the game. The offense sputtered, however, netting just one more goal in the half en route to a 4-2 score at intermission.
The Lady Knights could attribute their halftime lead to the stellar play of junior goalie Hannah McKee, who made 14 saves in a busy first half.
The second half featured a superb performance by senior Shauna Leonard, who scored four goals and assisted on Anna Hutchins' go-ahead goal with 5:48 remaining. Despite Leonard's offensive efforts, the Lady Knights were unable to keep the Red Dragons out of the net and allowed nine goals, including the tying and winning goals in the final 1:06.
Saturday's precursor to the Oneonta game was decidedly less dramatic, as Geneseo ran over Morrisville with a 21-1 win. The Lady Knights certainly came to play, sprinting to a 14-0 halftime lead thanks in part to six goals from sophomore Tara Murphy. Murphy was one of seven players with at least two scores.
Geneseo scored in flurries against the overmatched Mustangs; nine of their goals came in a 10-minute period at the beginning of the game, and they added another three in the final 1:30 of the first half. In addition, McKee and freshman Annie Smith nearly grabbed a shutout in net, holding Morrisville scoreless for the first 56:25 before eventually surrendering a goal on a free position shot.
On Friday, the Lady Knights hosted the Utica Pioneers in a non-conference match-up, winning by a comfortable 18-7 margin. Leonard paced the attack with three goals and an assist and led the ground game as well - picking up a game-high four ground balls.
Other offensive contributors included juniors Laura Kitts and Maggie Morris, who had a goal and two assists apiece. Freshmen played a major role in the win; Casie Damore scored the first two goals of her career, Cassie Broton tallied a goal and an assist and Smith made 13 saves in her first career start in net.
Geneseo will host St. John Fisher at 4 p.m. Thursday, April 17 before preparing to go on the road to take on Oswego and Potsdam on Saturday and Tuesday respectively.