Photo Courtesy of Susquehanna Athletics
By Ashley Nace
The Susquehanna Women’s Lacrosse team fought valiantly but couldn’t finish it out in their 18-11 loss to Catholic in Wednesday’s game at Sassafras Multipurpose Field.
The River Hawks had a strong start in the first quarter.
Though the Cardinals scored in the first minute of a play, a theme throughout the entirety of the game, the River Hawks were able to pick it back up.
After another goal by Catholic, Susquehanna scored their first from a turnover that sophomore Sloane Coddington put in the net, assisted by junior Sohpia Trively with 10:42 on the clock.
“I think our biggest thing going into the game was believing in each other,” said junior Jessica Russo, who led the team in points with two goals and an assist for the game.
The plays built off each other throughout the entire first, as a wide shot by Trively gave way to a free position goal for Kieran Spears to tie the game 2-2.
Another free position gave Russo her first goal of the game.
In net, senior Aerin O’Brien made her first save of many, while the River Hawks continued to run down Catholic with more force.
Trively earned a goal with 4:56 to go, and Russo followed right after her with another goal and 3:26 left to play.
“The energy was high and everyone was cheering for each other on and off the field,” said Russo.
Catholic came back for another goal off the restart and put away one final shot with 1:50 to play to tighten the River Hawks’ lead to a narrow 5-4.
Entering the second, the River Hawks lead began to slip.
Catholic came in for their first goal just 19 seconds after the quarter started, tying it up. However, sophomore Makaela Larkin also earned one for the River Hawks within the first minute of play to keep the team ahead.
After a yellow card on Catholic, Susquehanna was able to produce two shot, but both missed either high or wide.
Catholic was able to make a good clear and tie the game up with a goal at 11:39. 30 seconds later, they threw another goal down to take the lead which they would keep for the rest of the game.
Shortly after, the Cardinals came in for two more goals, extending their lead to 9-6.
A green card on Susquehanna resulted in another Catholic goal. But when a green card on Catholic followed, the River Hawks couldn’t get a shot off.
A free position attempt gave junior Waverly Oake-Libow a successful goal. 30 seconds later, Coddington put away her second of the game to close the score gap.
“Lifting each other up and not hanging our heads made it easy for us to compete the way we did the whole game,” explained Russo.
A goal with 3:13 left for Catholic concluded the excitement of the first half.
An 11-8 Catholic lead wasn’t all hope lost for the River Hawks, though.
High intensity plays and great keeper saves made for a low scoring third quarter. Catholic got their first goal out of the way early, but Susquehanna’s offense ripped off shots.
O’Brien made several saves in net while the offense worked the Cardinals net.
Another Cardinal goal gave them momentum, but a yellow card for Catholic and a turnover allowed first year Maggie McDermott a goal, assisted by fellow first year Alena Malinowski, with 4:29 to go.
A goal off the restart worked in Catholic’s favor, but more cards came, as the Cardinals received two green cards within seconds of each other. A final green card for Susquehanna came at the end of the quarter.
But the River Hawks didn’t lose hope.
“With everyone lifting each other up, it really lets us focus on us and not worry about Catholic or what the calls the refs were making,” said Russo.
With Catholic plowing ahead, 14-9, they tried to earn their first goal in the first minute like every quarter before, but O’Brien made the save. The Cardinal’s first goal didn’t come until 12:19.
After a Russo shot, the Cardinal earned two more goals. But Russo teamed up and assisted Abby Andrus with a goal to bring the score to 17-10.
A green card for Catholic and a yellow for Susquehanna livened the play. Another green card later for Catholic gave Andrus an opportunity, but her shot was blocked.
A shot for Russo and a green card for each team followed as the clock winded down. The Cardinal’s put their last point up on the board with little time left.
But nothing beat the final Susquehanna play. Not giving up, first year Abby DiComes earned a goal assisted by Andrus in the last five seconds, bringing the final score to 18-11.
Coddington and Russo each scored two goals in the game, while O’Brien made eight saves in net.
“Each game we grow together and get better,” said Russo. “Each game and practice, we push each other and continue to move forward in our play.”
The River Hawks return to Sassafras on Saturday, April 18 at 1 p.m. for their Senior Day against Scranton.