The five-year defending America East champion Boston University lacrosse team is ready to take on the rest of the league once again. The team concluded their fall season with a game against the University of Connecticut this past Saturday.
Official score is not kept for ‘fall ball’ games, but it provides an opportunity to play outside competition, such as Harvard University, Stanford University and Boston College, and try different lineups, said BU coach Liz Robertshaw.
‘Our fall ball season is all about fun and learning the fundamentals of our BU system,’ senior captain Jenny Martin said.
Robertshaw described this as a great opportunity for the younger players to adapt to collegiate playing without the pressure of a real season game.
‘Every single person that is healthy got a lot of quality playing time,’ she said.
The coach said she was very impressed by the incoming freshman class. Two freshmen, in particular, caught Robertshaw’s eye.’
‘Goalkeeper Kim Elsworth showed some big saves and confidence in goal, which as a freshman, you do not see,’ Robertshaw said. ‘[Midfielder] Kristen Mogavero’s no-fear attitude stood out.’
‘The young players have been very receptive and are molding to the BU style of play nicely,’ junior midfielder Mandy Rogers said.
So far the BU girls have shown a high energy level and impressive numbers in the weight room. Robertshaw said they have upped their intensity level this year on defense and goalkeeping, and started showing some good fast break attacks.
‘Our greatest strong points are our speed and drive on attack and our aggressive style of play on defense,’ senior attacker McKinley Curro said. ‘Our attack really pushes the fast break and gets the ball moving very well.
‘Our defense has pushed the attack all fall and has been really impressive. We are lucky to have the athleticism we have to be able to play the aggressive defense we are playing.’
The level of intensity and skill is very impressive considering it is early in the season. The girls are still learning to play together and are only able to practice three times a week in the fall.
‘The girls need to learn who likes to do what, who’s comfortable with left and right, who’s comfortable taking draws, who’s comfortable on [one-on-ones],’ Robertshaw said.
The absence of senior attacker and team leader Traci Landy, who has been student-teaching as a part of the School of Education this fall, has certainly had an impact on the girls’ play, noted Robertshaw. As the girls move into the spring season, they will definitely work to incorporate her into the lineup again.
Moving into the winter, the team will be focusing on team fitness and agility, as it conditions for the spring season.
The team has been very successful in recent years, and the expectations of success are still present. Robertshaw hopes to get past the first and second round of the NCAA Tournament and make it to the Final Four and is confident that this group of girls can get them there.
‘We have such a dedicated team and everyone is very supportive and helpful to make each other better,’ Curro said. ‘I think our entire team makes a conscious effort to bring their strengths to the team. Everyone has something to contribute, and I think that is something very special.’
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