By Julian Markese
Sports Editor
The lacrosse team lost 12-10 in a tense game on senior day against Assumption University on Saturday, April 11. The eight graduating seniors have won 37 games in their four years, as many as the program had won in its first 15 years.
Assumption came prepared for the Owls’ high-powered offense.
They slowed the game down and turned it into a defensive stalemate for long stretches. They were physical and fast.
“They out-played us in every phase of the game. You can’t win when you’re on defense that much,” Head Coach Kevin Siedlecki said.
Goalkeeper Caelan Connors, a senior, continued her stellar campaign between the sticks.
After earning some time off during the Owl’s’ 26-1 victory over American International College, Connors returned to the net against the Greyhounds. She made nine saves on 29 shots for a .429 save percentage.
“Caelan is so consistent. She’s the best goalie in the conference,” Siedlecki said.
Connors’ performance steadied the team. She made the saves she was supposed to and a few that were special.
Despite spending much of the game in their own half, the Owls were able to take their chances on the offensive end and keep the game competitive.
Each time the Greyhounds looked like they were ready to pull away, the Owls clawed back.
Midfielder Abigail Nolan, a senior, was everywhere. She scored three times. One goal to tie the game and two goals that brought the Owls back within one when they desperately needed it.
Attacker Macy Vail, a senior, continued her goal-streak. She has scored in 32 straight games. She scored once against Assumption, tying the game at three in the second quarter. Vail, clearly a focal point for the Greyhound defense, was swarmed whenever she got the ball.
Midfielder Anna Meserve, a junior, held her own in the draw circle. She was ferocious with the ball on the turf and was a threat to score whenever she carried it.
After a back-and-forth first half, Meserve scored a goal in the third quarter that gave the Owls a 6-5 lead, their only lead save the first five minutes.
The boost of momentum did not last long.
Assumption quickly responded. They scored on a penalty shot to tie the game again. Another penalty on the Owls meant Assumption had the man advantage. Another goal meant momentum was gone.
“Their game plan was to keep it low-scoring,” Siedlecki said. “They weren’t gonna win that game 16-15.”
The Owls came within one goal with two minutes to go when midfielder Allie Welder, a junior, scored her 14th goal of the season to make it 11-10.
Assumption once again spread out and played keep away.
They whittled down the game clock to almost nothing, which forced Siedlecki to make the unusual move of pulling Connors out of the net to try to force a change of possession. It was unsuccessful.
Assumption scored again, making the final 12-10.
The team is still in position to make good on the goals they set out for themselves in the before the season. They will regroup, put Assumption in the rearview before returning to NE10 play on Wednesday, April 15 when they face Bentley University at home.
“Right now, I want to get over it and celebrate the seniors,” Siedlecki said.
