The women's lacrosse team secured a solid win over SUNY Potsdam on April 9 but was then devastated on April 12 by their first loss of the season to SUNY Brockport. The team advanced to 7-1 overall and 2-1 in SUNYAC play after the home split.
The Knights put forth a strong effort from the start of Saturday's game versus Potsdam, as the team netted seven goals before the visitors could answer with their first. Senior Lauren Burgoon and freshman Caroline Buonocore each contributed a pair of goals to the opening run. Senior Anna Hutchings scored twice in the final three minutes of the first period, sending her team into halftime with an 11-3 lead.
Hutchings remained a vital part of the game, scoring within the first minute of the second half. Her teammates followed her lead, netting the next five goals of the game. Buonocore contributed two of the six-goal stretch, while senior Cassie Broton fed two of the assists.
Potsdam junior Maribeth Simmons fought for her team, scoring two of her three goals in the second half. The Knights maintained their pressure throughout the half, however, and finished with a 19-7 win. Senior Annie Smith posted nine saves in 48 minutes, six seconds of play, while sophomore Julie Bernatzky came up with six stops in her 11 minutes, 54 seconds of playing time.
Head coach Carly Ritchlin was very pleased with the result. "We were able to put a complete 60 minutes together. We were focused and had control the entire game," she stated.
The team's game against Brockport provided much more of a challenge. The Golden Eagles caught the Knights off guard as Brockport junior Carly Motondo scored a pair of goals to open the match. Geneseo answered shortly after with three quick goals: a pair from Buonocore, and Hutching's first of two goals for the match. Play went back and forth for the remainder of the half, but Buonocore scored with under a minute remaining to secure a 4-3 lead for Geneseo at halftime.
Though Brockport opened the second half with a goal, the Knights rallied to net the following four goals, lead by Burgoon's two-goal effort. Ritchlin explained that a "series of crucial turnovers" caused the major turning point of the game, a six-goal stretch for Brockport.
Down 8-10, Geneseo put forth its best effort for the remaining minutes of the game. Buonocore scored her fourth and final goal of the match with just under eight minutes remaining, cutting the deficit to 9-10. Brockport answered with two more goals, however, and the Knights took the final 9-12 loss. Smith finished with 8 saves for Geneseo.
"The game was a result of a lot of mental errors. It's crucial that we put a complete game together every time we play," Ritchlin stressed.
The Knights hit the road to play SUNY Oneonta on April 16, followed by a home match versus Buffalo State on April 19.
Ed. Note:
The Knights earned yet another victory on Wednesday afternoon, defeating visiting Utica College, 12-1. Freshman Caroline Buonocore tallied three goals to lead Geneseo. The Knights improve to 8-1 overall and are ranked No.-20 in the latest Division III poll.