Solid fundamentals, communication and teamwork are the three keys to the women's lacrosse team's success this season, according to head coach Sharon Pfluger.
The sixth-ranked Lions earned their sixth win of the season to improve to 6-2 overall. The College's women's lacrosse team is on a four-game winning streak, scoring no less than 12 goals a game, with no more than seven goals against.
"I think we're back on track now and we're starting to get into a groove," senior captain Lauren Dougher said.
"I think it is great for us to have positive momentum," Pfluger said. "The girls worked hard. I'm very proud of them."
Dougher, senior Bridget Bigley and sophomore Karen Doane have continued to lead the team.
The Lions received another outstanding performance from Dougher, who torched 20th-ranked Rowan University for eight points in a 14-5 victory on April 4 at Lions' Stadium.
Dougher finished the game with five goals and three assists, moving her into fourth place on the school's all-time list for both goals and points.
"I just want to win, it doesn't matter to me," Dougher said. "The ultimate goal at end of the season is winning a national championship."
"I'm really proud of her; it's amazing that she is such a great scorer," Pfluger said. "She is so unselfish and is so happy to pass the ball to whoever can put it in the cage. I know she's working incredibly hard. She just wants team to do well."
Throughout the game, Dougher received plenty of support from Bigley, who scored two of the team's first three goals, with Dougher notching the other.
After Rowan got on the board with a score from junior attacker Katie Kline midway through the half, the College scored three more goals, two from Bigley and one from Dougher, to go up 6-1.
The Profs managed to notch back-to-back goals from freshmen Kelly Angstadt and Amanda Silvesti, but the Lions closed out the half with two more goals to carry an 8-3 lead into the break.
The College burst out of the half with a 5-1 run in the opening 10 minutes, with Dougher scoring three of the goals, to help build a dominating 13-4 lead.
Bigley also had a big night with four goals and one assist for the College, with sophomore Toni-Anne Cavallo netting a pair of goals.
Sophomore Caitlin Meseroll had two goals to lead Rowan.
Against the College of Mount Saint Vincent, the Lions recorded a 15-3 home victory last Thursday.
Bigley led all scorers with six goals, while Dougher chipped in two goals and three assists. Doane added three goals and an assist, as the Lions outshot the Dolphins 27-7.
"We want to come out strong and beat them right from the beginning," Doane said.
Doane held true to her word as the College led 11-1 at the half and recorded the win after opening the game on a 7-0 run.
For the Dolphins, the underclassmen led the way. Sophomores Chanel Comis and Marie Garcia and freshman Stacie Tripp each scored in the loss.
The Lions finished off their week with a 15-1 domination of Stevens Institute of Technology on Sunday in Hoboken.
The College scored the game's first 11 goals and cruised to a 12-1 advantage by halftime. The Lions controlled the rest of the game, netting the only three goals in the second half.
Dougher and Bigley had typically productive games. Dougher had four goals and an assist while Bigley added three goals and an assist.
Adding to the Lions' mauling were sophomores Cavallo, Doane, Kate Neese and Diane Haddeland, all scoring a pair each.
The Lions will need to carry the momentum over to this week, as they will be hosting top-ranked Salisbury University on Saturday, April 15 at 1 p.m.
