Sports
Women’s lacrosse ranked No. 17 in D-III poll for 3-1 conference record
By Mary Lundin ’19
March 30, 2017
Tags sports
Having excelled throughout a challenging but successful training week in Florida over spring break, the Hamilton women’s lacrosse team returned home on Tuesday, March 21 to boast an 8-4 win over Skidmore College on Hamilton’s Steuben Field.
The Continentals were led by Jackie Cuddy ’18, who scored three goals, along with Alex Hendry ’19, Darby Philbrick ’18, Morgan Fletcher ’17, Skyler Simson ’20 and Nora Klemmer ’17, who each netted one goal. Hannah Burrall ’19 and Hannah Rubin ’17 were solid in net for Hamilton, with Burrall starting in goal and making five saves and Rubin stopping three shots while yielding just one goal.
The Continentals fell into a two goal deficit at the beginning of the game, but were quickly aided by Pooley and Philbrick netting the Continentals’ first goal about five minutes into play. Another goal by Hendry about a minute later and a goal by Fletcher assisted by Simson gave Hamilton the lead. Finally, Hendry passed to Klemmer for a 4-2 advantage followed by Cuddy, receiving an assist from Philbrick, establishing a three-goal lead for the Continentals.
The second half began with the Continentals widening their lead to a four-point-differential with a pass from Tatiana Bradley ’19 and subsequent goal by Cuddy. With about seven minutes left in play, Simson received a pass from Fletcher, shooting past Skidmore goalie Megan Kolopsky from point-blank range.
Two days later, the Continentals traveled to SUNY Oneonta, continuing their winning streak to three games, in a non-conference matchup. The Continentals had a strong start, with strong play from Morgan Fletcher, whose first goal tied the score and whose subsequent two goals helped push the Continentals’ lead to 6-3. Additionally, Pooley, Casey File ’17 and Klemmer each added three goals throughout the course of the game.
Oneonta came out strong to start the second half, quickly scoring three of the first four goals of the second half, narrowing the Continentals’ lead to ten. Klemmer, off an assist by Pooley, and Cuddy each added another goal to widen the Continentals’ lead. Additionally, Hamilton’s defense proved incredibly strong, bolstered by Burrall, who stopped three shots in the first half and by Rubin and Eleni Neyland ’18 who together added four saves.
Additionally, Burrall, Philbrick, Gabby O’Brien ’19 and Sarah Kaiser ’19 each scooped up a pair of ground balls. As for draw controls, Pooley gained three, while File, Kaiser, and Charlotte Wynn ’20 secured two.
Two days later, the women traveled to Amherst College’s Lehrman Stadium in their fourth NESCAC matchup of the season. Here, the Continentals grabbed another win adding to their now four-game winning streak.
With utmost determination and exceptional skill, Philbrick, assisted by Klemmer, and Fletcher each found the back of the net in the first 71 seconds of play. Amherst, eager to control the game, went on a three-goal run to take a 3-2 lead with about 11 minutes left in play. With just under a minute left in the first half, Pooley scored again, creating a 3-3 tie going into intermission.
Beginning the second half determined to retake the lead from the nationally-ranked No. 18 Continentals, Amherst climbed ahead about four minutes into play; however, the Continentals quickly responded to even the score. About two minutes later, Philbrick scored the tying goal off an assist by Fletcher. The Continentals retained the lead, with subsequent goals by File and Klemmer, making the final score 7-4.
In reference to the four game win streak, O’Brien commented, “A lot of work has gone into this season so far and has really been paying off!” adding, “The competitiveness and drive we all have to win is what really drove us into spring break and started our win streak.” While they did not start on the foot they wanted to, O’Brien noted that losing three out of their first four games has only driven the team to succeed: “We had a tough start to the season that really tested our passion and drive when we were faced with adversity. The early losses really motivated us to work even harder and keep pushing each other to be better.” O’Brien credits Hamilton’s success to the “win this moment” mantra that the coaching staff has impressed upon the team saying, “taking each practice, game, and moment at a time has allowed us to be more successful as a whole.”
The Continentals resume play Saturday, April 1, at 11 a.m. against Bates College at Hamilton’s Steuben Field. Currently, Hamilton is ranked 17th in the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association Division III Top 20 poll released on March 27. Hamilton’s 3-1 conference record puts them in a in a three-way tie for second in the highly-competitive NESCAC with six conference games left to play. Last season, the Continentals finished sixth in the NESCAC during the regular season; they hope to best that performance this year.