By Colleen Pegher
After a historic week for the Allegheny’s women’s lacrosse team, the season came to a disappointing end with a 14-10 loss to conference powerhouse Wooster. The Gators were unable to sustain their level of play for the entire game and ultimately fell victim to a roaring comeback by the Fighting Scots.
“We didn’t amp up our play as much as we would have liked to,” said head coach Stephanie Janice after the game. “We couldn’t elevate our play and take it where we needed it to go.”
The Gators were behind 5-3 early on, but Brennan Maine, ’14, scored to tie it up with 8:54 remaining in the first half.
Holding a lead at the end of the half, the Gators headed into the locker room looking to maintain their focus and energy, but a series of miscues allowed the Scots back into the game.
“We were really plagued by turnovers,” said Janice. “We made our own mistakes in the second half.”
After goals by Allegheny’s Jensen Patersen, ’11, and Anna Koebley, ’14, Wooster came charging back, scoring to tie the game at 9-9 midway through the half.
“I think they were starting to feel a little bit of anxiety because we weren’t coming up with the draw controls and obviously they’re important moving forward and going on attack,” Janice said. “We just tried to stay in there and we were definitely hopeful and ready to go if we could get it.”
The Gators were never able to get the momentum back, with the Scots recapturing the lead with 12:44 remaining in the second half. Wooster built upon their lead with another goal, making the score 11-9, and added another moments later.
With time winding down, Patersen, the program’s all-time leading scorer, scored for a final time in her career at Allegheny, but it wasn’t enough to fuel another Gator run.
The playoff loss capped off what was a historic season for the squad, who defeated the Fighting Scots for the first time ever last Thursday.
“It was truly special to get that win on Thursday,” said Caitlin Fearon, ’11. “It was something that our program has not done in 22 years and to be the senior class that got that win was an amazing feeling.”
The Gators’ victory over the Scots allowed them a chance at the NCAC tournament. An overtime victory over Wittenberg Saturday ultimately secured their spot in the playoffs and another shot at Wooster.
“No one outside the team thought we would get this far,” said Kiah Voyer-Colbath, ’12. “What makes this team special is that we are a team, we play as a team and we all get excited for everyone.”
After their playoff loss, the team will take on a different look next year, losing some valuable experience but hanging onto several key players like Voyer-Colbath and rookie standout Brennan Maine.
The Allegheny lacrosse team will graduate five seniors this season, including Patersen, Fearon, Colleen Silky, Abby Silvester and Rebecca O’Shurak.
“We will certainly miss our seniors,” Janice said. “There’s no doubt about that. They can certainly never be replaced but we will certainly be looking to rebuild and have some of the younger players step up.”
Younger players on the team cite the leadership and dedication of the seniors as one of the reasons for their success this season.
“They saw the potential our team had and they demanded more from us,” said Kellee Cribby, ’14. “We faced adversity and overcame challenges nobody foresaw.”
Despite the disappointment of their playoff defeat, the Gators are happy with the season’s accomplishments.
“To be a part of something like this is incredible in a lot of ways,” Voyer-Colbath said. “I couldn’t be prouder of everyone and what we have accomplished as individuals and as a team.”
This year’s success has left a permanent mark on the lacrosse program here at Allegheny.
“I cannot imagine what it will be like to walk on the field without the seniors next year,” Cribby said. “But I know for certain that they have helped raise the bar for Allegheny lacrosse and it is a new standard that will stay with the program forever.”
