By Alana Pelosi

After dropping two games this past week in conference play, the pressure is on for the women’s lacrosse team. To Coach Abby Morgan, however, this more difficult situation is something she wants off her players’ minds. “We learned after this past weekend we have to play as pressure-free as possible.” Morgan said.

The Pride, which slipped to 4-7 after suffering a 13-12 loss to the University of Delaware and an 11-7 loss to Towson University, are going to have to turn things around if they want a shot at defending their title. In the three conference games so far the Pride went into halftime with a lead, but eventually lost it in two of the games.

While other teams are just as far into their seasons and tired, too, the Pride has another hurdle to overcome with much of their starting lineup fatigued. Midfielder K’Leigh Vanaman, who was a standout in the Towson game with a career-high five goals, is starting to feel the wear of the season and she is not alone.

The offense will need players to step up as Corinne Gandolfi, who leads the team in both goals and assists, is day-to-day and so is fellow attack Ashley Jones, who has led the team in draw controls all season. The defense is banged up as well, with Debbie Stellke just being able to return to practice and junior Jen Bach, who worked her way into the starting lineup this season, may now be out with a season-ending stress fracture.

Another thing that may be getting to the Pride is that the effects of losing last year’ stars, which included All-American Kimberley Hillier, Casey McGrath and Becky Thorn, to graduation. “We had three players we relied on in pressure situations and we realize how much they carried us.” said Morgan.

She knows her girls can pull through, but it will depend on how they handle the task at hand. “We’ve got to look at the next few games as nothing to lose,” explained Morgan, “because if you win four games (in conference play) you’re still in the mix.”

Morgan explained how there are a lot of players whom she believes can rise o the situation and that she knows they can, but for now it remains a matter of confidence.

Part of the strategy Morgan is employing to put her players at ease is mixing things up at practice and making sure that they are still having fun.

At Tuesday’s practice, the girls faced unlikely opponents when Coach Morgan and Coach Piercy took the field and let it be known that they still got skills. And while the girls are very prepared physically for both Morgan, Piercy and any other opponents they face, it is in their attitude where they must be strong. “The focus has to be on the 27 people in the locker room.” said Morgan.

The Pride’s resiliency will be tested this weekend with home games against Old Dominion and the College of William and Mary. Coming down to what may be the biggest series of the season for them, they will truly be put to the test in a do-or-die situation for their season’s sake.

In order to be in contention, they will need to walk away with at least one win and with the season depending on this; it is a lot to ask for the young squad. In order to keep the season alive past April 22, they will have not let that pressure get to them and fight their way through injuries.