The Ramapo College women’s lacrosse team earned a victory at home against Sage College on Tuesday in a non-conference match. The Roadrunners proved to be a step above their former Skyline Conference opponent, defeating the Gators 17-9. Ramapo lacrosse was part of the Skyline Conference until this season.
The Roadrunners outshot the Gators 48-27 in the game. Despite falling behind 2-0 early, the Roadrunners battled back and were able to run away with the lead in the second half.
“Sage came out with a house of fire and took it to us a little bit,” said head coach Jane Koeniges. “We had to get settled.”
She said the team used its patience and focused on doing the little things right when behind early.
The Roadrunners started the comeback on sophomore Lindsay Hughes’ 14th goal of the season. Hughes led the way offensively for the Roadrunners and had nine goals and an assist in the win.
Koeniges said that the game was one of the most complete team wins so far this season and thought that the defense, midfield and attack all contributed to the win.
Aside from Hughes, Koeniges also praised the play of freshman Katie Duca, with one goal and one assist, Monica Torres, one goal and one assist, and Charlotte Councill, three goals and one assist. She also said senior captains Michelle and Teresa Gustafson, who had two goals and one assist and one assist respectively, were a big part of the team’s win.
The Roadrunners used both goalkeepers in the win, as freshman Emily Kramer got the start and junior Reagan Vier came in relief. Combined, the duo made nine saves while allowing nine goals on 27 total shot attempts.
“Emily started, and Reagan was able to step in and had some very nice saves for us,” Koeniges said.
The Roadrunners held a 10-7 lead at halftime and never let the Gators get back in the game. Ramapo scored six unanswered goals to start the second half before Sage scored its only two goals of the second half.
“It was more of effort than lacrosse strategy. If we were going to give up a shot, we gave up a low angle or a low percentage shot. We focused on the defensive part,” Koeniges said of her team’s plan to hold the lead after a back and forth first half.
The Roadrunners will have one more game to prepare for their upcoming New Jersey Athletic Conference match against The College of New Jersey next Tuesday. They then will play Manhattanville College on the road Saturday.
TCNJ is currently ranked fifth nationally in NCAA Division III women’s lacrosse and is riding a seven-game winning streak to start the season. Koeniges said that her team is looking forward to the challenge of facing them in conference play.
“It’s always great to have the competition. We’re so lucky that they are in our league,” Koeniges said. “There are teams all over the country that want to schedule them, and we get to play them.”
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mmontal1@ramapo.edu
