The Spectrum

Issue date: 3/23/06 Section: Sports

Media Credit: The Spectrum/ Alyssa DiMaria Mary Montesarchio (16) had two goals against Manhattan but the Pioneers fell just short.

Women's lacrosse lost to Manhattan College 13-6 Sunday afternoon in an ambitious attempt to end its four game losing streak; the snow came down halfway through the game, setting the mood for a long afternoon for the Pioneers.

The Jaspers got off to a fast start when senior Molly Pheternon and sophomore Alicia Psillos scored two free position shots in the first 10 minutes of play. 

The Pioneers responded halfway through the first half when Elizabeth Ottey, a sophomore from Baltimore, Md., put the Pioneers on the board with her one goal of the game.

Brianna Bubeck, a junior from Bethlehem, N.Y., and Mary Montesarchio, a freshman from Corlandt Manor, N.Y., led the Pioneers in points, each scoring two goals, with Amanda Williams, a freshman from Monroe, also contributing a goal.

Nevertheless, Manhattan's offense was on fire, having maintained the lead throughout the entire game.  The combination of Pheterson and Psillios struck two more times, each tallying goals in the first four minutes of the second half, and then again in the span of 1:20 to bring the score to 8-2.

The Pioneers' play was sporadic, allowing Manhattan to score nine second half goals to power past Sacred Heart.  The few spurts that the team went on showed its potential, but it was not able to consecutively string enough goals to get back into the game. 

Montesarchio believes that some of the contributing factors to the team's loss were its catching and throwing, as well as its lack of teamwork and heart. 

"We need to pull together and play well for the entire game and not just in little time periods," Montesarchio said.  "Everyone needs to step up, not just a few people.

Sometimes it is hard to work with new people, whether on the field, in the office, or in the classroom.  It takes time, and only time, for the women to mesh and work as one.    

"We just didn't put it all together; when attack was on, the defense was off and when the defense was on, the attack was off. We just needed to come together," Jess McDonough, a junior from Carmel, N.Y., said.

Despite the seemingly sorrowful attitude about the team's performance, the players are aware of the potential betterment of its playing status. 

The offense moved the ball around well, but were no match for the Jaspers defense.  Each possession was a struggle to control the ball rather than control the speed of the game. 

Although they met some difficult competition, the women know that they have what it will take to win their division. 

"One of [the team's] biggest strengths is that we have speed," Bubeck said.  "We also have some very skillful attackers, as well as quick defensive players."

The attack showed their speed on foot and also showed their ball speed; The next step is to open up to each other. 

"I feel that once we get our momentum going and can play together as an entire team, we will turn the season around and have a winning record," Gureckis said.

The team's next home game will be against Mount St. Mary's on Friday, April 7, at 4 p.m. at Campus Field.

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