Junior defender Mallory Max heads up the field in search of an open teammate during the game against SUNY Cortland on Saturday April 14. The women experienced the first two losses of the season, and refuse to let it bring down their spirits. (courtesy of Ben Gajewski)
The Geneseo women’s lacrosse team is no longer undefeated. The Knights received their first loss of the season on Saturday April 14 against SUNY Cortland. It was an intense, back and forth match up, but Cortland pulled away and won by a score of 15-10.
The Knights fought hard throughout the entire contest. Halfway through the second half, the women scored three straight goals to pull within one of their opponent. To the Knights’ dismay, it was not enough and the Red Dragons pulled away shortly after extending their lead to five by the game’s end. Despite the loss, there were still some outstanding individual performances.
Two Knights recorded three or more goals in the game. Senior midfielder Erin Cregan scored three goals, and sophomore midfielder Tessa Doody scored four. The entire team competed from beginning to end and did not leave the game feeling discouraged.
“I think we were really upbeat about it,” sophomore defender Caroline McGuigan said. “Yeah, we did lose, but we also played our hearts out.”
The loss left the Knights feeling more motivated than ever, and they recognize what they need to improve on in the future if they see Cortland again. The two teams are currently at the top of the SUNYAC with Cortland seeded No. 1 and Geneseo No. 2. The game could be a possible preview of a game with championship implications in May.
“We’re such evenly matched teams and they just outscored us,” freshman midfielder Megan Henderson said. “That shows that next time we can beat them no problem,”
The women do not have the attitude of a team coming off a tough loss. They seem hungrier and ready for the next challenge. The loss seems to have put an even bigger chip on this team’s shoulder.
Although the team is no longer undefeated, this may prove to be beneficial as the season creeps closer to the postseason. It can often be positive to experience a loss and a certain level of disappointment before diving into postseason play. After all, it is better to lose now than in an elimination game in the SUNYAC Tournament
“Honestly I would rather have lost that game on Saturday and come back with a fire lit under our butts in May and win that SUNYAC game,” McGuigan said.
The Knights’ official record is now 11-2 against all opponents and 4-2 in the SUNYAC. Cortland is now 9-4 against all opponents and 4-0 in the SUNYAC. The stage has now been set for what could be an intense SUNYAC Tournament matchup. The women still have four games left until the start of post-season play, and they will be looking to take care of business in those games.
The women had their second loss against SUNY Oswego on Wednesday April 18. The Knights fell 11-9 to the Lakers. They plan on using these losses as further motivation for their upcoming game against St. John Fisher College on Friday April 20.
Do not expect to see a letdown in the Knights’ level of play. In fact, expect them to play harder than they have previously. Their main goal will be to win the SUNYAC Championship. This would be an incredible feat because Cortland has held the title for 19 straight seasons.
If anyone can knock the Red Dragons off their throne, it is this Knights team. They never stop fighting and have an unwavering confidence in their abilities.