Senior midfielder Erin Cregan (pictured above) runs up the field in search of the net during a game against the University of Rochester on March 8. The women have a seven game win streak that they hope to continue as they face SUNY Oneonta on Saturday March 31. ()
The Geneseo women’s lacrosse team remains undefeated to begin the season. They moved to a perfect 7-0 after victories against Ithaca College on Saturday March 24 and St. Lawrence University on Tuesday March 27.
The women defeated the Rochester Institute of Technology on March 21 with a score of 15-9 behind a very balanced offensive attack. The Knights had five players who scored two goals or more. The team had an early lead, the score being 10-3 at the half. RIT attempted to rally in the second half by outscoring the Knights 6-5, but the women kept their composure.
“When we realized we were having a lull, we came back stronger,” sophomore midfielder Tessa Doody said. “We always talk about who we’re playing for and I think everyone just wanted to leave it all out on the field.”
The Knights defeated Ithaca College by a score of 10-8. Ithaca was one of the top ranked teams in the country, so the victory was fought hard. The women held their opponent to only eight goals thanks to the impressive play of junior goalie Tess McFadden. She tallied 13 saves in the contest. A win against a team like Ithaca goes a long way, and the team understands it will only make them stronger.
“The fact that we were able to come out on top and win that hard-fought battle just solidifies that we need to continue to play as a team and support one another,” head coach Carly Ritchlin said. “If we do that the sky is the limit.”
This upcoming week the Knights have two more games. They defeated St. Lawrence 9-8, and they will play SUNY Oneonta on Saturday March 31. Their opponents enter the contests with records of 2-3 and 3-3-1, respectively. The game against Oneonta will be the first conference matchup of the season for the women.
The Knights will continue to prepare for all of their matchups the same way and make sure they play Geneseo women’s lacrosse, something they like to reiterate among themselves. The women believe it is important to give each opponent they play an equal amount of consideration.
“Anything can happen, especially if you let up against a team you don’t expect to be as good,” junior defender Mallory Max said. “We don’t want to let up for a second. Every team is a good opponent.”
If the Knights continue to prepare and play the way they have been, then the sky certainly is the limit for them. It has been an impressive start so far, and it will be essential for the women to carry their winning ways with them against their first conference opponent this weekend. Winning conference games will be the first step for the Knights toward reaching their larger goals.
The women have chemistry both on and off the field, which has helped the team establish a winning culture. The Knights will be getting their opponents’ best every game because of their early success, but the team is up to that task and will continue to excel.