The women’s lacrosse team faced off for two home games this week, prevailing 17-12 against Mount St. Mary’s University on Saturday before continuing to defend Fisher Stadium in its Wednesday night matchup against La Salle University, winning 16-7.
Saturday’s matchup saw Mount St. Mary (2-2 overall) strike first, capitalizing on two early penalties with four goals in three minutes against the short-handed Leopards (3-1 overall). Head coach Katie McConnell took a timeout in hopes of motivating her team.
“‘Wake up, you got this,’” sophomore midfielder Evelyn Guyer said of her coach’s message. “‘Just have confidence in yourself and bring the energy.’”
Lafayette ripped off a 7-1 run to end the quarter, aided by two goals from fellow sophomore midfielder Sadie Martiesian and a last-minute effort from Guyer. In response, the Mountaineers substituted their starting goalie ahead of the second quarter.
The Maroon and White showed no mercy, limiting the reliever’s day to one quarter after netting five goals on seven shots.
“It’s always a great feeling making the defensive side switch goalies,” Martiesian said.
By contrast, senior goalie Kennedy Carr found her groove, allowing two goals while recording three saves in the second quarter.
“We have full faith in Kennedy,” Martiesian said. “She stands her ground, and we stand behind her.”
Martiesian secured her second collegiate hat trick just two minutes into the period, while Guyer tacked on her second goal with one second remaining to send Lafayette into the locker room up 12-7.
The Leopards outscored the Mountaineers 3-1 in the third period and added a pair of early fourth-quarter goals to put the game out of reach at 17-9. The visitors added three garbage-time goals to ease their deficit.
It was sweet revenge for Leopards after dropping a 14-6 away tilt to the Mountaineers last year.
Marteisan and senior midfielder Olivia Kelley set career highs with four goals apiece, while Guyer added a third-quarter assist to her two first-half goals. Carr finished with 11 saves for a .478 percentage after allowing goals on the first four shots she faced.
The Leopards got off to a roaring start in Wednesday’s tilt against La Salle (3-3 overall), scratching off a 5-0 run as freshman attacker Georgia Swarr netted her second collegiate hat trick in the first quarter alone.
“We switched things from Saturday,” said senior attacker Kristin Igneri, who scored two of the Leopards’ first three goals. “We’ve been making sure that we’re starting out fast in practice.”
Lafayette’s 8-2 first quarter established a lead that would prove insurmountable. The Explorers’ search for answers proved fleeting at best, with three consecutive second-quarter goals offset by Igneri’s third goal and two Swarr-assisted efforts.
“I take each play one step at a time,” Igneri said. “And then it all comes together.”
The Maroon and White eased offensively in the second half but tightened their defensive grip, outscoring La Salle 5-2 over the last half-hour to complete an undefeated home non-conference slate.
Igneri and Swarr posted identical stat lines of three goals and two assists. Carr benefited from a strong defensive front that allowed a season-low 15 shots on goal and finished with a .533 save percentage.
“Our defense really stepped it up this year,” Carr said. “It took us a second to settle in, but we’re clicking now.”
The Leopards continue their non-conference slate next week, visiting Monmouth University (4-1 overall) on Sunday.