By Dominic Rapposelli
Elm Staff Writer
Centennial Conference play kicked off last Saturday at 1 p.m. in Roy Kirby Jr. Stadium where the Washington College Shorewomen hosted the visiting Ursinus Bears.
The Shorewomen held the Bears offense in check en route to a 15-9 victory. This victory would maintain WC’s undefeated home record of 4-0.
WC’s attack was spearheaded by a duo senior Ellie Morrall and junior Morgan Sutherland. Sutherland’s additional two assists and six points overall would earn her GooseNation TV player of the game honors for the second time in her career.
Sutherland believes that her performance is an example of the team’s overall improvement. “We hadn’t had many assisted goals until that game, and I think the fact that we had so many shows our improvement as a team and our team dynamic,” Sutherland said.
Sophomore attacker Tobin Chambers made her return to the field in time for Conference play. After being sidelined through the non-Conference games with injury, Chambers made an impact in her season debut with a pair of goals.
After missing the first chunk of the season, Chambers was happy to get back in time for the conference opener. “To get back out there with it being the first conference game, and for the team to win, made me smile,” Chambers said.
With their performance over the Bears, the Shorewomen would receive votes in the weekly NCAA Division III Coaches’ Poll to move closer to being a ranked squad for the first time this season.
A trip to the top 25 would be a huge win for the Shorewomen. “It would mean a lot to this team, showing that all of our hard work has paid off and even though we are small in numbers we can still compete with the best in Division III lacrosse,” Sutherland said. Division III coaches poll rankings are published every Monday.
Preparing for conference games versus non-Conference games is no different. “I think, as a team, we approach each game, in or out of Conference, with the same mindset,” Chambers said.
The Shorewomen lost their April 1 game at Gettysburg College 21-8.
On the side of the Shoremen, the men’s lacrosse team opened Conference play after the women’s victory and followed in similar form. WC won against the visiting McDaniel College Green Terror 14-4.
The Shoremen jumped out to a 12-4 halftime lead over McDaniel with contributions from seven different players. Senior Ewan Temple added three, while senior Kain Domenech and junior Gabe Velasquez added two apiece.
WC held the Green Terror scoreless in the second half, while putting up two of their own from sophomore Ben Dickinson and senior Logan Clefisch.
The Shoremen would follow up this performance with a back-and-forth victory over the visiting Haverford Fords on March 29.
Senior goalie Cole Corrigan notched 15 saves, allowing the offense to pull away late with a fourth goal in the fourth quarter.
Corrigan also attributed the victory to “making a bunch of stands on man downs.”
“I think the five guys in front of me, on man down, are some of the best in the country,” Corrigan said.
The defensive squad earned their praise in the game with senior defender TC White causing a team high three turnovers in the evening, as well as fellow senior Jack Winters grabbing four ground balls.
The Shoremen dropped their first road conference game to Muhlenberg in a 12-9 contest with an hour weather delay. They would be held scoreless in the third quarter by the Mules, and a late game rally would fall short. The defense held the Mules in check on man-up opportunities, finishing at just 2-7.
This was WC’s first road contest in six games, where they went 5-1 at Kibler Field. The Shoremen still sit at 2-1 in Conference play as they travel to Dickinson on Saturday, April 8.