Senior distance runner Morgan Meaney leads the pack during the meet hosted at Geneseo. Both the men’s and women’s track and field teams are hoping to earn another SUNYAC title this year. (Ash Dean/Photo Editor)
Though not yet complete, the spring season for Geneseo athletics is shaping up for an exciting finish. Men’s lacrosse, women’s lacrosse and softball are all in contention for the playoffs, while men’s and women’s track and field have already won the SUNYAC Indoor Championship and will have a chance to challenge for a SUNYAC title in outdoor track as well.
Men’s lacrosse has been the surprise success story this season, as they have a chance to clinch their first SUNYAC Tournament appearance since 2012. First-year head coach Nick Fiorentino has the team at 8-5 overall, but 2-3 in the conference. The Knights need to win their final regular season game at home against last-place SUNY Oneonta on Saturday April 29 to get into the playoffs.
Women’s lacrosse is on their way to the playoffs, despite having a bit of an off year by their standards. With a 7-7 record overall and 4-3 in the SUNYAC, they sit in fourth place, with just two conference games remaining against St. John Fisher College on Friday April 28 and against SUNY Potsdam on Saturday April 29.
In her 14th year with Geneseo, head coach Carly Ritchlin is one of the coaches with the most wins in the NCAA; her streak of winning seasons and of playoff appearances will live on for at least one more year.
Both the men’s and women’s track and field teams have seen several record-breaking performances from their athletes this season. After securing two individual national championships in indoor events, senior jumper/sprinter Alexa Wandy has set school records in the triple jump and 400-meter dash so far in outdoor events.
Senior distance runner Sara Rosenzweig ran the fastest 3,000-meter steeplechase time in Division III this season at the Princeton Larry Ellis Invitational on Friday April 21.
On the men’s side, junior distance runner Isaac Garcia-Cassani holds the school record in the 1,500-meter run. Additionally, the men’s 4 x 800-meter relay team set school records at the Bucknell Bison Classic on April 15, with the men finishing in 7:40.43.
The women are currently ranked fourth in NCAA Division III by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, while the men rank third in the Atlantic region. They will compete at the SUNYAC championships on May 5 and May 6 in Cortland.
Geneseo softball is facing possible elimination from playoff contention, however, with only two doubleheaders remaining, as they sit in seventh place with a 6-8 record in the SUNYAC. The Knights have not been able to gain momentum in the conference, despite a 12-6 record against non-conference opponents.
The softball team currently sits two games behind Buffalo State for the final playoff spot. With just four games remaining against fourth-place SUNY Oswego and first-place SUNY Cortland, closing the gap will be difficult.