The Geneseo women’s lacrosse team extended its winning streak to bump its record to 10-4 overall and 4-3 in the SUNYAC conference. In addition to these winning ways, two athletes achieved personal accolades.
The Knights traveled to SUNY Oneonta on Saturday April 20 to play the Red Dragons. Geneseo took an early lead as the half ended in the Knights’ favor 13-4. Head coach Carly Ritchlin said she stressed getting the lead early in the game. She also said that Geneseo was also able to kept its poise which later affected Oneonta’s play.
“We kept our composure and we stayed true to our plan and stayed true to who we are as a team,” Ritchlin said. “Oneonta was falling apart. They were frustrated with each other and yelling at each other while we kept plugging away.”
In addition to the team’s success, two players, junior attack Caroline Buonocore and senior goalie Julie Bernatzky, received personal accomplishments after the game.
Bernatzky was named SUNYAC Women’s Lacrosse Goalie of the Week. She allowed 19 goals in the past two games, posted a goals-against average of 9.5 and a save percentage of .537.
Buonocore scored a school-record 157 goals in her career. Not only did she break the record, but she also has the opportunity to stretch her lead further during her upcoming senior season. Ritchlin said she has been able to monitor Buonocore’s growth on the team.
“There’s a lot of pressure when you’re the leading goal scorer,” Ritchlin said. “They’re going to put the best defender on you, they’re going to double you and they’re going to do a lot of things to take you out of your game and she has been adjusting to that”
Ritchlin has not only seen an evolution in Buonocore’s athletic prowess, but also in her role as a leader.
“She leads by example. She is one of the players that I know that will give a 150 percent every practice,” Ritchlin said. “It’s nice to have those players on the team because the younger girls look up to that.”
Buonocore continued her scoring ways against Buffalo State College, netting five goals in a 18-8 romp over the Bengals. The Knights clinched a playoff bid with the win. The Knights, however, are striving for the third playoff seed because of the bye game advantage.
“We would love to be third so we don’t have to play next Tuesday,” Ritchlin said.
The Knights play their final regular-season game against SUNY New Paltz on Saturday April 27.