Lacrosse aims high

The womens? lacrosse team hit the road to sunny Florida for spring break with goals to achieve and a game to perfect. Coach Andrea Golden was optimistic about spring training and traveled with some team objectives.Golden said she wanted to use the week to work on seeing which women were capable two-way players, in addition to improving the timing of the offense and getting nine new freshmen settled into playing lacrosse with the team.The team had a lot of opportunities to test out its skills against the Scottish National Team and other Div. I and Div. III teams who were also there training for spring break. The week provided an opportunity for the team to bond as it practiced together to improve fitness and playing skills. This year, the team is lead by three captains ? senior guard Arna Berke-Schlessel, juniors attacker Jenny Rogers and defensemen Jenn Seferiadis.Seferiadis said she has already seen the freshmen stepping up and making an impact on the team with their hard work ethic and dedication. Golden and Rogers shared this sentiment. The Yellowjackets faced tough competition against Lynchburg College in their first game of the season. The team was up early in the game with goals by Rogers and freshman Katie Riegel, but Lynchburg answered back with five goals of its own. At the half, Lynchburg was up 5-3, but UR battled back to tie the score at 5-5 with 12 minutes left in the game. Despite the stong effort, UR picked up its first lost of the season, 7-6. Riegel picked up her first three goals as a Yellowjacket, and juniors Jess Lerman, Lauren Mele, and Rogers each picked up a goal in the effort.However, the team played well against the ranked Div. III team. It hopes to apply the lessons it learned to the rest of the season. This spring season promises to be exciting for the Yellowjackets. They will face many ranked teams within their league, and look to gaining regional and national recognition.Currently the Yellowjackets are ranked 24th in the nation among Div. III teams. They are hoping to improve the ranking as the season progresses. In their schedule, they will be facing teams ranked between No. 5 and No. 16, giving them one of the toughest schedules in their league. Golden emphasized that the women have their hands full, but they are prepared.The Yellowjackets play their home opener at Fauver Stadium as they face Alfred University at 1 p.m. Saturday.