By Alana Pelosi

Picking up two wins and putting themselves in the heart of CAA contention, the women’s lacrosse team proved that they are not ready to give up just yet. With victories this past weekend over Old Dominion and the College of William and Mary, the Pride is right back where they need to be for the CAAs.

After winning 11-7 and 10-8 at home, the Pride just needs to pick up one more conference win to land in the CAA tournament. In this road series, however, the key to victory will solid, confident play all sixty minutes. Even against William and Mary on Sunday, the margin started to narrow before the Pride ultimately pulled off the win. “The two games we lost in conference, we beat ourselves in both second halves.” Said Morgan of the late game slip-ups.

There to boost the team were sophomore K’Leigh Vanaman and freshman Stephanie Rice. Vanaman, who has been battling nagging injuries as of late, tallied a goal against ODU and was very instrumental in the William and Mary game.

With two goals and two assists, she also picked up four ground balls and helped to keep her team in the game as the lead slipped from 10-2 to 10-8 during the second half. Rice, who was just named CAA Rookie of Week, had fives goals and an assist during the series that included her first hat trick as a member of the Pride. Of their play, Coach Morgan had to say, “K’leigh and Steph were composed and had great ball control at the end of this weekend.”

And while they were leading by example, they certainly won’t be barking commands or making the motivational speeches to rally their teammates anytime soon. “The challenge is that they are both quiet and not that vocal yet because they are only a sophomore and a freshman,” Morgan explained.

Riding high on a wave of momentum, the team looks towards their last two conference games this upcoming weekend. On the road in Virginia, the team will face James Madison and George Mason before returning to Long Island to face Stony Brook on Tuesday.

This very momentum that has propelled the team is what they have been looking for all season, and this new wave of confidence may be marking a change for the better.

This past weekend, rather than being uptight and tense about the games, Coach Morgan noticed a change in her team that may have been what brought them victory. “I really learn how our team needs to be themselves,” Said Morgan, “they really can’t pretend to be anyone but who they are.”

This positive attitude was present all weekend, especially on Sunday which was Senior Day. On Sunday, not only did all of the seniors play well, but they had the completely support of their teammates, especially on the bench. The sideline stepped up into vital roll where they were spotting and calling out William and Mary’s plays to the defense during the stall at the end of the game.

While the starting line up is pretty banged up, and starter Ashley Jones still day-to-day, that is not the biggest problem for the tough team. As Coach Morgan explained, “Being on the road is a little difficult, but the challenge is more sticking the things that work for us.”

While such a busy, upcoming week may seem like a lot for bruised and battered bunch, they are not about to give up, and they will try not to get ahead of themselves.

Morgan’s plan for all that lies in front of them is “We are going to take it one game at a time.”