Jasper women’s lacrosse score first MAAC victory against Merrimack.
VINCENT DUSOVIC/COURTESY
Andrew Mannion, Sports Editor
On Saturday afternoon, the Jaspers Women’s Lacrosse team took down Merrimack with a score of 14-11. Led by four goals from the MAAC Student-Athlete of the Week, Olivia Cruthers, the offense was able to put together their second highest score total of the season.
The Jaspers started strong, with Cruthers scoring back-to-back goals to open the game. After Merrimack answered with a goal from Ashlyn Campbell, Manhattan extended its lead with goals from Hailey Schnider and Lindsay Atkinson, finishing the first quarter ahead 4-2.
The second quarter belonged to Merrimack, as they put together a five goal run behind efforts from Ava Fernandes, Kaitlin Roche and Ashley Bonitch. Manhattan found themselves down 7-4 before rallying with goals from Lauren Maher, Emily Fiola and Juliana Mahan to tie the game 7-7 at halftime.
In the third quarter, the game stayed tight. Cruthers completed her hat trick to give Manhattan the lead, but Merrimack quickly tied it up again. The Jaspers’ Mahan and the Warriors’ Brooke Brennan traded goals, and the score was even at 9-9 heading into the final period.
The fourth quarter was where Manhattan pulled away. Atkinson and Maher found the net early, and though Merrimack briefly tied it at 11, Manhattan responded with a dominant closing stretch. Grace Boneu, Brooke Leonard, Kaitlin Roche and Fiola each scored in the final minutes, sealing the 14-11 victory.
Cruthers led all scorers with four goals, while Mahan and Fiola added two a piece. Atkinson had a strong all-around performance with a goal and three assists. Merrimack was paced by Kaitlin Roche and Juliana Mahan with two goals each, but they were unable to keep up with Manhattan’s fourth-quarter push.
With the team getting back to .500 against MAAC competition, the girls have found themselves back on the right track. Head Coach Jenna Dingler spoke about how the team should take a lot of pride of their performance, and how they will attack the rest of the season.
“They had a lot of belief in themselves and each other, and it was translated onto the field,” Dingler said. “They definitely have been putting the work in, so for this to translate today, on game day, they should be nothing but proud of themselves.”
The team’s offense had a big day, with 14 goals being put on the board. Led by Cruthers’ four goals, the offense found their groove early and kept the success throughout the game. Cruthers spoke on how the offense gets going and finds success.
“We just need a spark every single day,” Cruthers said. “Whether it’s me or if it’s a freshman who just started her first collegiate game, it’s about being consistent, stepping up and making big plays. I’m not the only one on my team who can do it, but just something Coach Jenna pushes us to do every single day of practice.”
With MAAC play just beginning, the team will look to continue its success. Jaspers’ attacker, Brooke Leonard, explained her goals for the season in order to continue to find success in the MAAC.
“My drive is just to show up on the field every day and be there for my teammates,” Leonard said. “Just show up and work hard for them.”
The Jaspers will have their next game in Loudonville, NY, as they take on Siena next Wednesday.
*Editor’s Note: Grace Cardinal contributed to reporting.