The women’s lacrosse team set a new school record by recording its eighth straight win of the season with victories over Clarkson, 19-4, and St. Lawrence, 11-10 in overtime. With the wins, UR jumped to No. 17 in www.LaxPower.com ranking of Division III schools.
The previous team record was a 6-0 run by the 1999 squad that finished the season with an 11-7 record.
“We are psyched to be 8-0, but are well aware that the most challenging part of our season still awaits us,” senior captain Jennifer Seferiadis said.
The Yellowjackets played Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association opponent Clarkson and dominated the game early. From that point, the Yellowjackets did not stop on offense, finishing the game with 19 goals. Since the team’s win against Ithaca, the Yellowjackets have scored 74 goals in four games.
“We have several players who score goals in each game,” senior captain Lauren Mele said, “We have no star player who scores eight goals a game. What makes us more powerful is the ability to use many people both offensively and defensively in a variety of positions.”
Sophomore Samantha Krawitzky and freshman Emily Riegel each scored four goals to lead the Yellowjackets. Senior Jessica Lerman picked up three goals, and seniors Jenny Rogers and Erika Bergstrom and sophomore Katie Riegel each scored twice. Seferiadis and sophomore Sarah Walker scored a goal apiece.
The Yellowjackets then took their offensive game to the test against another UCAA opponent when they faced St. Lawrence in a tough overtime game.
Clarkson came out strong to take a 2-0 lead minutes into the game, and the Yellowjackets found themselves in unfamiliar territory.
“The past few games for us have been less challenging, and so it took even more heart and dedication to get psyched for this game and really take it to the next level,” Mele said.
UR rallied back to take the lead 4-2, but Clarkson finished the first half up 7-6.
“I think we all came out there knowing we had a good game ahead of us,” Mele said, “and being down for a bit made us all kick it up a notch.”
The Yellowjackets came out strong in the second half, and Seferiadis scored a goal to tie the score at 7-7. Clarkson answered back with two goals of their own to take a 9-7 lead. From there, the lead went back and forth until both teams were tied at 10-10 at the end of regulation.
Lerman scored the winning goal with 1:48 left to play in overtime to help secure UR’s eighth win of the season.
“We maintained our composure throughout the game,” Seferiadis said. “They are strong and fast, but they rely on a few dominant players, our success comes from having 26 players who can all contribute.”
Seferiadis and Lerman led the Yellowjackets with three goals each. Sophomores Melanie Branski and Katie Riegel scored two goals each, and Rogers picked up one goal.
The Yellow-jackets look to extend their winning streak this weekend with two key games against UCAA opponent Hamilton and eighth-ranked William Smith.
The 1999 squad had its six-game winning streak cut short by William Smith, so they are looking for revenge this weekend.
“No one on this team has ever beaten Hamilton or William Smith so we’re excited about the opportunity to get another crack at them,” Seferiadis said.
The Yellowjackets face Hamilton on Friday on the road, and they play William Smith at 1 p.m. Saturday at Fauver Stadium.
Ayub can be reached at aayub@campustimes.org.
