By Dominic Rapposelli
Elm Staff Writer
Washington College women’s lacrosse continues to struggle against ranked Conference opponents in a 21-10 loss to the visiting Franklin and Marshall Diplomats. After falling behind early, the Shorewomen were unable to close the gap before the end of the game.
The team is coming off a week in which there were no games on weekdays. According to junior defender Alexis Tackney, the break is beneficial, having mid-week games is always doable, but the extra couple of days to prepare and rest is a huge positive.
Senior goalkeeper Sydney Wingate sees the lack of mid-week games as an opportunity for the team to change their practice style into a more challenging one. “When we have two-game weeks we don’t have as many days for more challenging practices. It is nice to have a whole week of practices to prepare for rather than two days,” Wingate said.
The week break did not stop the opposing Diplomats from going up 10, triggering a running clock starting in the second quarter. WC scored again, turning off the running clock, which went back on for good in the bottom of the second period.
Franklin and Marshall extended their lead in the record to 39 wins while WC has bested them 5 times in the 44 matchups. Franklin and Marshall won the last 21 head-to-head contests.
Junior Ashley Devlin and senior Ellie Morrall each contributed three goals and an assist, combining for six of the team’s 10 goals. Four of the Shorewomen’s goals came off of free position shots.
Sophomore Tobin Chambers continued to add to her season goal total of 10 in just six games with a goal of her own in the second quarter off a pass from freshman Mia Salvatiera. Chambers is coming off a career best six goal outing in their win over Muhlenberg on April 8.
Ranked conference teams have been kryptonite for the Shorewomen this season. Gettysburg College and Franklin and Marshall College outscored the team 42-18 over the two games. “Playing good teams like them prepares us for the playoffs well,” junior Maddie Morris said.
“We have our sights set on the playoffs in May,” Morris said. The Bullets and Diplomats are both likely opponents for the Shorewomen should they punch their playoff ticket over the remaining four games.
The Conference takes six teams for the women’s lacrosse playoff. The Shorewomen sit at a three-way tie for fifth place, however they are looking to pick up a key tiebreaker over Swarthmore College on April 26.
The Shorewomen also have a key tiebreaker over Muhlenberg College, who they were able to defeat 15-10 in their first Conference road win.
The team will enter a road stint beginning with a trip to Bryn Mawr College. Tackney describes the team as “ready to travel.” At this point in the season, the willingness to play on the road is something the Shorewomen will need to make a successful playoff push.
“Regardless we are always hyped and ready to play a game no matter where it may be,” Tackney said, “It also makes looking forward to Senior Day even more exciting.”
Wingate admitted she was excited to see what the remainder of the season looks like for the Shorewomen. “As a captain it is great to see the overall improvement of the team from last year and even this year,” Wingate said.
The next regular season home game for the Shorewomen will be Saturday, April 29 in their Senior Day game against McDaniel College. This will be the regular season finale for the Shorewomen.
The opportunity to host further home games hinges on hosting a Conference Playoff game.
Photo Caption: Sophomore attacker Tobin Chambers playing in the Shorewomen’s game against Bryn Mawr.
Photo courtesy of WC Athletics