The Geneseo women’s lacrosse team is now 3-1 on the season after splitting their two games following spring break.
On Wednesday March 21, the Knights lost to Ithaca College in a shootout, 14-13. Geneseo got off to a slow start and let Ithaca get off to a 9-4 lead at halftime. Ithaca outshot the Knights 26-8 in the first half.
“We were making bad passes, turned the ball over a lot and making mental mistakes we don’t usually make,” said head coach Carly Ritchlin. “[That allowed them to have] many more possessions [and] more opportunities to shoot the ball.”
The game took a turn in the second half, though, as sophomore attacker Caroline Buonocore, junior midfielder Rachel Petrone and first year attacker Katey Hart scored two goals each to help bring Geneseo within one with 30 seconds left on the clock. The effort, however, was too little too late and Ithaca held on for the win.
“We had the momentum and if we had two more minutes I think it would have been a different game,” said Ritchlin.
Geneseo traveled north on Saturday March 24 to take on the University of Rochester.
Sophomore attacker Meredith Weber scored the first goal of the game for Geneseo, but Rochester tied the score off a free position shot shortly after.
The Knights then scored 12 straight goals, including four from Petrone.
“[Petrone] has always been a key player for us, but this year she’s been more confident. We’ve set some things up for her and have gotten her the ball with good opportunities to score and she’s been finishing,” said Ritchlin.
Weber put away the final goal of the game as time ran out, setting the final score 15-4 in Geneseo’s favor.
Ritchlin said she was pleased with the defense’s rebound from Ithaca, keeping Rochester to just four points.
“The communication was there, which is huge. There are still things we need to work on, but overall a solid effort,” Ritchlin said.
Junior goalie Julie Bernatzky has also contributed to the season’s successful start. She made 37 saves in the last two games combined. According to Ritchlin, “[Bernatzky] has played great. She was huge in both games and kept us in the Ithaca game when our attack wasn’t playing well.”
Geneseo travels to St. John Fisher College on March 29 and St. Lawrence University on March 31 before returning to play their first SUNYAC game against SUNY Fredonia on April 3.