By Christine Houghton
Sports Editor
The women’s lacrosse team came up short during spring break, and fell to both of its opponents.
Traveling to Amherst, Massachusetts for the first matchup on March 16, the team battled Amherst College in a non-conference game that unfortunately lowered its record to 4-2.
The team began the game down five goals, as Amherst dominated early on, but the Lions eventually got on the board through a goal by graduate student midfielder Erin Harvey.
Later in the first half, Amherst would score two more goals, which were only answered by one goal from the Lions’ junior attacker Olivia Cleale in the final minutes of the first half.
The second half was much more eventful for the Lions, as Harvey opened with a goal less than 45 seconds into regulation. Amherst soon answered back with a goal, but the Lions rebounded quickly.
The Lions scored three in a row from junior midfielder Alexandria Fitzpatrick and back-to-back goals from junior attacker Kasey Donoghue. That would unfortunately be the last time the Lions scored, as Amherst added to its tally and ended the game on top 11-6.
Despite the loss, senior goalkeeper Miranda Chrone had a strong game with nine saves, while sophomore defender Brittany Blair put up a valiant effort to tie a career-high four ground balls.
The second matchup came on March 20, where the Lions took on Tufts University at home.
The College got on the board first off a goal from Fitzpatrick, who has now scored in every game this season.
After a response by Tufts, junior defender Jessica Allen was able to find senior midfielder Kathleen Jaeger for a Lions’ goal and their second lead of the game. However, after three unanswered points from Tufts, the team went into halftime down 4-2.
A goal early in the second half by Tufts moved its lead up to three over the College, the largest for either side during regulation.
Junior midfielder Allie Gorman and Jaeger scored back-to-back goals, cutting the difference to one goal. With a little under nine minutes remaining, the team was down 7-5, neck and neck with its opponent.
The deficit was soon closed after Harvey and Donoghue both scored seconds apart.
Chrone had 11 saves on the day, but they were not enough, as Tufts was able to force a turnover and eventually score the final goal with just minutes left, helping it win by a final score of 8-7.
The Lions will return to the field on Thursday, March 28 as they hit the road to take on Gettysburg University.
