The women’s lacrosse team pushed through wins against North Carolina and Boston College, but a loss in a highly touted game against Maryland may haunt the team heading into the seeding for the national tournament.
Junior midfielders Lauryn Bernier and Ali Chambers each scored a hat trick to lead second-ranked Georgetown to a 14-3 victory over No. 13 North Carolina on Sunday, April 4, on a cold and windy North Kehoe Field. The Hoyas jumped to the lead with three goals in less than three and a half minutes, and although the Tar Heels responded with a goal, Georgetown pushed through another three to hold onto a firm lead at the end of the first half.
The second half was even better for the Hoyas. The teams exchanged a goal each, but then the Hoyas responded with three more goals. Although North Carolina scored again Georgetown knocked home three more goals, two by Bernier, to take control. Junior Goalie Sarah Robinson stopped 10 UNC shots while only allowing three goals.
“I was impressed with how we played,” sophomore team assistant Benita Sinnarajah said. “There were such strong winds and I thought that would affect the game, but we played really well.”
On April 7 the Hoyas fell to No. 7 Maryland, 13-8, at College Park in front of a crowd of over 1000. Although Senior Midfielder Anouk Peters scored two goals, the Terps were able to steadily outpace the Hoyas. Senior midfield co-captain Gloria Lozano put Georgetown on the scoreboard, but the Terps responded with a pair of goals to push the score to 4-1.
The Hoyas fought back, tallying back-to-back goals by junior attacker Catherine Elbe and Peters to cut the Terps’ lead to 4-3, but Maryland immediately seized control of the game by responding with four of their own. Although Peters and Chambers scored two quick goals, the Hoyas were still trailing at the end of an explosive first period, 8-6.
The two teams traded goals during the second half. Junior midfielder Lauryn Bernier and junior attacker Hollis Pica scored creative goals to cut the deficit to 10-8, but Maryland ended the game scoring 3 more goals and holding off the Hoyas. Junior goalkeeper Sarah Robinson had a tough game while under constant pressure, recording eight saves while allowing all 13 of the Terps goals.
After the game, Chambers took a positive approach to the tough loss. “We are taking each game a step at a time and trying to work on the little things to improve our game,”Chambers said.
The Hoyas wasted no time recoving, rebouding with a huge win over the Boston College Eagles. Catherine Elbe scored five goals and Coco Stanwick added three goals and assists. Senior midfielder Michi Ellers also recorded a hat trick and caused three turnovers, two ground balls and two draw controls. The Hoyas notched eight early goals before the Eagles answered, and at the end of the first half the Hoyas were firmly ahead 10-2.
B.C. scored the first second half goal in under two minutes, but Georgetown quickly scored 10 more goals, crushing the Eagles. For the game Georgetown outshot Boston 37-11. The Hoyas had a record 25 caused turnovers, 12 assists and 40 ground balls. Goalie Sarah Robinson had five saves during the first 52 minutes of play.
“Each game, whether it be Maryland, UConn, JMU or Notre Dame must be looked at as the same,” Chambers said. “Everytime we step on the field, we have to be playing our best lacrosse.”
Ellers was named co-defensive player of the week for her outstanding work in the games against Maryland and Boston. Against the Terps she caused six turnovers and scooped up a ground ball that helped keep the Hoyas in the game. She is ranked first in the nation for caused turnovers, averging four per game, and this is the third time she has recieved the award this season.
The Hoyas record stands at 8-2 (4-0 Big East), and their next game is against no. 3 Fighting Irish of Notre Dame on Sunday at North Kehoe Field. Face-off is set for 1 p.m.
