Having one of their finest seasons in recent memory, the Washington College women's lacrosse team had just one monkey on their back all season: they had not defeated a ranked opponent yet.
On April 17, however, that all changed. The Shorewomen, newly ranked #20 in the IWLCA Division III poll, traveled to Lancaster, PA where they defeated then ranked Franklin & Marshall in overtime, 12-11.
Following that big win, the Shorewomen put up two fantastic offense performances, demolishing Villa Julie, 18-6, and Dickinson, 18-8.
Washington used a 9-0 run in the first half, coupled with an 8-0 run in the second en route to their pouncing over visiting Villa Julie.
The Shorewomen then wrapped up their Centennial Conference regular season at Dickinson.
While each of these victories is significant to the Shorewomen's season, they have their sights set on this weekend's conference tournament.
Washington will face Gettysburg this Saturday, at Ursinus College, at 3:30 p.m.
In their last contest, the Bullets drowned the Shorewomen convincingly, 12-2.
However, WC looks to come out strong and surprise an unexpecting Bullets defense. "We are coming down to the grind of the season and facing the competition that we have been waiting for since the beginning," said Sunni Houston. "The question is whether or not the other teams are ready for us!"
Washington College will look to the scoring efforts of key players, such as sophomore attackers Casey Sawma and Janet Studdiford, in their upcoming battle against the Bullets.
Sawma leads the Shorewomen with 36 goals while Studdiford leads the team in overall points with 46 (30 goals/16 assists).
Other key offensive players will need to do some damage if the Shorewomen want to defeat the eighth ranked Bullets.
Freshman Lindsay Eichner, who has 14 goals and 23 assists, as well as Tracy Smet, Lindsay Stockfish and Betty Weller (17, 16, and 15 goals, respectively) will also need to make a difference tomorrow.
Confidence is running high with the Shorewomen coaching staff as well as the players. Head Coach Eleanor Shriver-Magee commented, "The team has really developed and refined their skills and confidence over the last three weeks." Her comments hold true as the Shorewomen have won their last three games, as well as eight of their last ten.
"They are very focused and determined to not only make an appearance in the conference tourney but to come home with two wins!" added Shriver-Magee.
The Shorewomen hope for balanced offense and tight defense for a big win.
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