The women’s lacrosse team contested two close Patriot League games this week, coming up just short in a 14-13 Senior Day thriller on Saturday afternoon against Colgate University, but the Leopards got their revenge with a one-point win against Bucknell University on Wednesday night.
After ceding an early deficit to the Raiders (4-3 Patriot League, 8-6 overall), the Leopards (2-5 Patriot League, 6-8 overall) spent the remainder of the game clawing back, evening up the score at 13 apiece in the final quarter. Unfortunately for the Maroon and White, Colgate added another goal in the closing minutes to seal the deal.
“Our senior game was a great fight,” senior goalie Molly Terraciano said. “It definitely didn’t go our way in the end, but everyone on our team has such determination and grit. We fought till the very last second.”
Senior attacker Sara Rogers reached a major career milestone with her 100th career point, becoming the 27th Leopard in program history to do so.
Rogers opened the scoring off an assist from junior attacker Kristin Igneri, but the Raiders quickly responded with a three-goal run. Senior attacker Haleigh Albrecht added a goal with just one second remaining in the first frame to make it a 3-2 game.
Although Colgate notched six goals in the second quarter, the Maroon and White stayed within striking distance to go into the locker room down two.
Colgate’s offense surged out of the break to push the lead to 12-7. However, the Leopards rapidly mounted a four-goal run, cutting the deficit to 12-11 heading into the final frame.
The Leopards kept the momentum rolling in the fourth, with junior attacker Olivia Hover and Igneri both finding the back of the net to tie things up at 13-13 with under six minutes remaining. The Maroon and White instead ceded the eventual game-winner on a free-position shot with 2:49 left, sealing the narrow win for the Raiders.
Terraciano tallied six saves for the Leopards, while Colgate’s goalie duo combined for eight stops.
“Going into these final Patriot League games, we are going to play competitively,” Terraciano said.”When competing with determination and strength, we are confident and successful.”
The Leopards returned to action on Wednesday night, hosting Bucknell (2-5 Patriot League, 6-8 overall) at Fisher Stadium. While the Bison drew first blood, the Maroon and White rallied off the next four goals between the first and second quarter. Bucknell responded with a 4-0 run of their own, but the Leopards weathered the storm to take a 7-6 lead into halftime.
“I think everyone worked together offensively and defensively, and Molly did a great job in goal,” junior defender Jordan Siemonsen said.
The third quarter was comparatively quiet, with the Leopards scoring two goals to the Bisons’ one. Bucknell quickly scored two goals to open the final frame, setting the stage for a dramatic fourth quarter.
With just over seven minutes remaining, senior attacker Emma Elmen assisted Spallone on her 20th goal of the season, but Bucknell responded just minutes later to even the score at 10 apiece.
With time winding down, the Leopards thwarted Bucknell’s comeback attempt, as Elmen found Rogers, whose shot reached the back of the net for a go-ahead goal with 57 seconds remaining to effectively win the game.
“We’re so excited,” Siemonsen said. “It means we’re still in the running for Patriot League tournament, so we’re ready to go.”
The Maroon and White are currently tied with Lehigh University (2-5 Patriot League, 5-8 overall) for sixth place in the Patriot League, as the Leopards prepare for their final week of the season with games against Navy (5-2 Patriot League, 10-5 overall) and Lehigh that will decide the Leopards’ postseason fate.
“Everyone’s just super pumped and ready to go,” Siemonsen said. “We’re gonna keep on practicing hard and hopefully get another dub.”