By Alana Pelosi
Looking sharp as they enter the tail end of their CAA schedule, the women’s lacrosse team managed to break into to the top 20 as well.
Just breaking into the IWLCA/Under Armour at No. 20, the Pride have a lot more on their mind going into the homestretch. Currently 3-1 in CAA play, the team is currently tied for first with three other teams in the conference, a nice turnaround from last season. The team hopes not to get ahead of themselves as they have a lot of business to tend to down in Virginia this weekend.
Both opponents this weekend, Old Dominion on Friday and the College of William & Mary on Sunday, are two of the teams currently tied for first with the Pride. Come Monday, there will be a lot of changes in the conference seeding and it will have an impact on the Pride’s post-season play. Fortunately for the Pride, they look to be in great shape for the road ahead.
Shaking off injuries and doubts, if the team is battered and bewildered they certainly show no signs of it. Against cross island rival, Stony Brook, senior captain Lauren Whitcomb went down with what appeared to be a season ending ACL tear. After a few visits to doctors here and back home, Whitcomb’s knee was thankfully spared an ACL injury. In a matter of three weeks she has returned to her previous self, and in her short absence her teammates were right behind her all the way.
In the wake of her injury, junior Ashley Jones stepped up providing added offense along with freshman Maryann Miller. Coach Abby Morgan said of the surge in offense, “We’ve had a lot players step up, but not everyday. If they all played that way and everyone stepped each game other teams our scoring would be out of control.”
While junior Corrine Gandolfi continues to lead the on-field offensive attack, the team is looking sharp in other areas as well. Another key factor in the team’s strong play is the defense. Crediting strong play by goalie Mary Cuddihy, Morgan gave a nod toward the defense saying they “clicked the last couple games.”
One of the biggest presences in the Pride’s defense may be senior Co-Captain Alysse Ruszkowski, who not only earned CAA Player of the Week honors, but she picked up nation honors as well when womenslacrosse.com named her defensive player of the week. “It’s really nice for her to be recognized on a national level,” said Morgan, “she is a driving force for the team with her attitude and the way she approaches the game.”
Despite the accolades, honors and rankings, the team is determined to not get ahead of themselves with so much at stake. “I think our players realize what kind of game they playing, but all season long we’ve drilled in one game at a time,” said Morgan, “If you look at the last three games at a whole it’s too much pressure for anyone.”
After returning home from Virginia, the Pride will wrap up their regular season against Drexel at James M. Shuart Stadium on Saturday, April 25. CAA tournament play will commence on Friday, May 1.