The Slippery Rock University women’s lacrosse team (2-2) won their home opener 18-8 on Tuesday against Lake Erie College.
The win provided an opportunity to improve after back-to-back losses to Shepherd University and the University of Mount Olive. The win gave SRU a 2-2 record on the season.
The game was never close, as the Rock went on a 7-0 run to break open a 1-1 tie, and ended the first half on a 10-2 run. Lake Erie was never able to build momentum after SRU took an 11-3 lead into the half.
SRU head coach Emily Hopkins and senior attacker Paige Costantino said that what led to those goals was the Rock’s ability to take advantage of mistakes.
“We had the ability to capitalize on their mistakes,” Hopkins said. “That is what led to the big win.”
SRU held advantages in total shots (31-13), shots on goal (27-10), ground balls (23-19), draw controls (17-11) and caused turnovers (13-10).
SRU did not give them any breathing room from the opening whistle, dominating in all phases of the game.
“We came out with intensity,” Hopkins said. “We didn’t put ourselves in a hole like we did the previous two games.”
Costantino led her team with six points, coming from four goals and two assists. Other big contributors were Erin Wilcox, who had herself a hat trick, Jasey Sanders, who scored two goals and had an assist, and Kaytlin Callaghan, who also had two goals and an assist.
Danni Wilson, Ally Culhane and Bre Vodde scored the first goals of their career.
Goalkeeper Jordan Wagner earned her second win of the season, recording two saves and allowing four goals in the first 43:20.
Taylor Balbierz came in to take over and finish the game, allowing four goals in her first collegiate appearance.
Even with the win, Hopkins still sees improvement that needs to happen if this team wants to continue having success.
“We need to be able to keep up the intensity for 60 minutes,” Hopkins said. “We also need to reduce our turnovers and be better with our shot placement.”
Costantino, one of the captains of SRU, believes that the team will fix those mistakes and go on to have a great season. She has a lot of faith in the team after what she has seen thus far.
“The team this year is determined now more than ever,” Costantino said. “We have the determination to battle back in situations when we are down. I think we have many talented players that can contribute great things to this team.”
The team will have to show that talent in a tough upcoming five game home stand, where three of those games are against Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference opponents.
The Rock’s next game is against Tiffin University on Saturday at 1 p.m. at home.
