2008 Woodie Awards
Women's Lacrosse looks to respond after tough weekend
Lauren Rudolph
Issue date: 3/21/07 Section: Sports
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Despite losing its two top scorers from last year, including all-ODAC first team player Kate Lester, and the 2006 ODAC player of the year Amanda Strickler, the women's lacrosse team has had great success so far this year. The lady laxers are attempting to capture their fifth-straight ODAC crown, and if the Generals do win the ODAC this year, it would be their ninth overall title, which would tie Roanoke for most ODAC championships in conference history.
Led by Kat Michael's and Sarah Tilbor's strong defense, along with the leadership of senior captains Avery Lovejoy, Maggie Megear, and Kelly Evans, the team was picked first in the preseason ODAC coaches poll and ranked 11th in the nation. They quickly proved the rankings true with a strong 4-0 start (winning each game by an average of 7.5 goals) before falling to #8 Franklin & Marshall by 2 goals. Junior goalkeeper Sarah Tilbor, a first-team all ODAC selection last year, cites the depth of the Generals as a key strength this year. They "have seen great play from all four classes," and "every player has contributed a vital role to the team."
The Generals demonstrated this depth as they edged their way to a #9 ranking with a convincing 18-1 win over Bridgewater last Wednesday. This game was a true team effort, with 9 different players scoring in the victory. The game belonged to the Blue and White from the start, as the ladies began with an 8-0 run and didn't let down. Sophomore Kelsi Robinson, who was the ODAC player of the week for March 5th, led the charge with 2 goals and 3 assists, while sophomore Colleen Evans, another ODAC player of the week from Febraury 27th, tallied 4 assists. Four freshmen also contributed considerably in the game: Natalie Herndon scored 2 goals and doled out 2 assists, Britten Matthews tallied 3 goals and 2 assists, Meredith Freeman scored once, and Eliza Van Beuren spent 30 minutes in goal for the Generals.
Sunday, the 9th ranked Generals traveled to Mary Washington to take on the 11th ranked team in the nation. They came back from a 4-2 deficit at the half, scoring 4 straight second half goals, to take a 6-4 lead with 9:48 left, but the Eagles rallied to score 3 unanswered goals in the final 4 minutes, and the winning goal came with 36 seconds left in the game. Junior Megan Slosson led the Generals with 2 goals, Robinson added 3 assists, Colleen Evans notched 1 goal and 2 assists, while Karina Schless, Britten Matthews, and Laura Henson contributed 1 goal each. With the loss, the Generals fell to 5-2 overall, but Tilbor claims that the losses (to F&M and Mary Washington), "have just made us stronger for our ultimate goal: ODACs." The Generals still sport an unblemished record in the conference, with 5 remaining ODAC contests. They play their toughest opponent, Virginia Wesleyan, April 21st, right before the conference tournament begins. Before that happens, the women laxers will take on Averett this Wednesday at home, and you can expect our Generals to dominate the Cougars, who are 1-3 so far, with their only win against Hollins.
Led by Kat Michael's and Sarah Tilbor's strong defense, along with the leadership of senior captains Avery Lovejoy, Maggie Megear, and Kelly Evans, the team was picked first in the preseason ODAC coaches poll and ranked 11th in the nation. They quickly proved the rankings true with a strong 4-0 start (winning each game by an average of 7.5 goals) before falling to #8 Franklin & Marshall by 2 goals. Junior goalkeeper Sarah Tilbor, a first-team all ODAC selection last year, cites the depth of the Generals as a key strength this year. They "have seen great play from all four classes," and "every player has contributed a vital role to the team."
The Generals demonstrated this depth as they edged their way to a #9 ranking with a convincing 18-1 win over Bridgewater last Wednesday. This game was a true team effort, with 9 different players scoring in the victory. The game belonged to the Blue and White from the start, as the ladies began with an 8-0 run and didn't let down. Sophomore Kelsi Robinson, who was the ODAC player of the week for March 5th, led the charge with 2 goals and 3 assists, while sophomore Colleen Evans, another ODAC player of the week from Febraury 27th, tallied 4 assists. Four freshmen also contributed considerably in the game: Natalie Herndon scored 2 goals and doled out 2 assists, Britten Matthews tallied 3 goals and 2 assists, Meredith Freeman scored once, and Eliza Van Beuren spent 30 minutes in goal for the Generals.
Sunday, the 9th ranked Generals traveled to Mary Washington to take on the 11th ranked team in the nation. They came back from a 4-2 deficit at the half, scoring 4 straight second half goals, to take a 6-4 lead with 9:48 left, but the Eagles rallied to score 3 unanswered goals in the final 4 minutes, and the winning goal came with 36 seconds left in the game. Junior Megan Slosson led the Generals with 2 goals, Robinson added 3 assists, Colleen Evans notched 1 goal and 2 assists, while Karina Schless, Britten Matthews, and Laura Henson contributed 1 goal each. With the loss, the Generals fell to 5-2 overall, but Tilbor claims that the losses (to F&M and Mary Washington), "have just made us stronger for our ultimate goal: ODACs." The Generals still sport an unblemished record in the conference, with 5 remaining ODAC contests. They play their toughest opponent, Virginia Wesleyan, April 21st, right before the conference tournament begins. Before that happens, the women laxers will take on Averett this Wednesday at home, and you can expect our Generals to dominate the Cougars, who are 1-3 so far, with their only win against Hollins.
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