Allegheny Women’s Lacrosse (6-4, 0-3 NCAC) lost to rival Wittenberg College this past weekend, falling 10-16 in a tight contest to drop their third straight game. Wittenberg, who sits atop the NCAC with four conference victories, used a big second half to upend the Gators.
The host Tigers jumped out to a 3-1 start in the first ten minutes but two consecutive goals by freshmen McKenzie Bell and Alyssa Rapelje tied the contest. Wittenberg’s offense was dominant in the first period and they were poised to enter halftime up 7-3 before Kelly Dickson scored two lightning quick goals in the last minute of play, including one with just a second remaining. Dickson’s goals made it 7-5 and gave the Gators a much needed boost of momentum heading into the half.
Despite the exciting finish to the first period, the second part of the contest was characterized by offensive consistency from Wittenberg. Tigers’ midfielder Erin Guiliano scored in just under a minute and the team continued to find the goal repeatedly over the remainder of the contest. Wittenberg never led by less than 3 for the rest of the game despite Allegheny’s persistency on the offensive end.
The contest was ultimately decided in the last 10 minutes when Wittenberg scored three goals in two minutes to go on top 15-9. A goal by Allegheny midfielder Kelsey Rodgers with a three minutes left made it 16-10 for the final score.
According to Kellee Cribby ’14, it wasn’t a lack of effort that doomed the Gators but rather a more complete effort by Wittenberg.
“I think we played really well but the deciding factor was that we didn’t play well for the whole sixty minutes,” Cribby said, “Witt capitalized on our few little lapses that we made.”
Dickson had four solo goals for the Gators while Kelsey Rodgers ’15, Alyssa Repelje and Mckenzie Bell added two more apiece. Ultimately, Allegheny’s struggles to contain the potent Wittenberg attack was the deciding factor in the game. Goaltender Eliza Morgan had 13 saves but was under constant duresses throughout the afternoon. The Tigers outshot Allegheny 36-28 and were constantly attacking a beleaguered Gator defense missing defensive standout Carly Minsterman, ‘14.
Minsterman, who was sidelined with a head injury against Wooster, will return Saturday to bolster the Allegheny defense as they seek their first conference victory against Kenyon. Minsterman said she is eager to get back on the field after a week away,
“I’m recovered now and able to play again. I definitely am ready to go and my head feels great.”
The game starts at 1 a.m. at Kenyon’s home field in Gambler, Ohio.