As the spring season ends, the women’s lacrosse team is fighting for one of six spots in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championship, starting April 26.
The team is 5-9 overall but has a 4-3 record in their conference. Currently, they are in sixth place and looking to hold on to the final playoff spot.
Head coach Laura Korutz spoke on the team’s intensity and competitiveness and how they can translate that onto the field.
“As a team, we have been inconsistent,” said Korutz. “We took the top team in the conference, Fairfield [University], to overtime, but we need to see that level of play every day out, including practices.”
Source: Contributed by Nadine Galiano ‘28
Two of the team’s three conference losses have been one-goal games. Additionally, two of their conference wins have been one-goal games where the Pios’ defense only allowed four, six and eight goals, respectively, in those victories.
“I think our defense is amazing. They are probably the best in the MAAC,” said sophomore attackman Nadine Galiano. “Seeing our defense all come together and hold these conference teams is really amazing.”
The Pioneers started the season allowing 16 goals to Bryant, 14 to Columbia and 10 to New Haven in their 0-3 start. Since then, the defense has been shutting down offenses, allowing double digits only three times over the last ten games.
“Offensively, we have to score more goals,” said Korutz. “We are creating great scoring opportunities. We need to finish more of those to put us in a better position to win.”
Furman transfer Galiano added that the team doesn’t shoot a ton and needs to be more aggressive when opportunities to do so come about.
The Pioneers had one game in double digits scoring this season against Merrimack on March 28, where Galiano netted two in that outing.
“I feel like this year there were a lot of new people, alongside me being a transfer,” said Galiano. “It took a while for us to try and figure out what works well, understand each other, and compete with these tough teams.”
This year the Pioneers welcomed 12 freshmen and two transfers to their roster this season. Senior attackman Ryann Kearns emphasized the welcoming environment and how the group showed those new athletes how the Pios play.
“I think that we just need to lay it all out for the final game, giving 100%,” said senior attackman Ryann Kearns. “I spent the whole last season on the sideline with a season-ending injury, so just giving that perspective that not everyone gets these opportunities is key for our team.”
The Pioneers beat Rider University 6-4 on April 11. Junior Jamie Tanner scored five goals in the win.
“We need to play consistently game in and game out,” said Korutz. “Finding a way to win, having that heart and that extra gear in these must-win games is key to focus on.”
The Pios will close out the season with a conference matchup against Quinnipiac University on Saturday, April 18 at 1:00 p.m. on Campus Field.
Athletic Communications contributed to this article.
