Despite losing to No. 13 Dartmouth College 12-7 on a dreary and windy afternoon at Nickerson Field, senior captain Danielle Etrasco had a stand-out game, notching three goals and an assist for the Boston University women’s lacrosse team.
Etrasco also made a big impact for the Terriers (1-1) in the season opener against the University of Massachusetts-Amherst last Wednesday, scoring two goals to help propel BU to the 9-8 overtime victory.
While her numbers certainly are impressive, BU coach Liz Robertshaw said she is used to seeing Etrasco putting up such great stat lines as she did Wednesday.
“She did a really good job today,” Robertshaw said. “I told her that she needs to lead by example, and it doesn’t always mean by scoring goals, but it does mean that the ball needs to get into her hands so that the team feels like they’re ready to go, and she stepped up and did that today.”
Ever since Etrasco first put on the Terrier jersey during the 2010 season, the Massapequa, N.Y., native has terrorized opposing teams’ defenses with her natural ability to score and make plays.
Etrasco started nine games for the Terriers during her freshman year, scoring 18 goals and recording six assists to finish the season with 24 points. In recognition of her play, Etrasco was named to the America East All-Rookie team.
Etrasco made a huge jump during her sophomore season, scoring 57 goals and finishing the year with 65 points in 17 games started. She finished the year tied for first in the America East conference with four game-winning goals, and added 41 draw controls. After the season, Etrasco was named America East Co-Player of the Year, and was also added to the America East All-Conference Team.
Last year, Etrasco increased her scoring totals once again, recording 58 goals and 22 assists (80 points) in just 17 games. During the season, Etrasco scored at least five goals in five different contests. Etrasco was named an IWLCA All-American at the end of the year, and was placed on the IWLCA Northeast All-Regional Team.
The accolades continued to pour in this January, as Etrasco was named to the final U.S. Women’s Lacrosse National Team roster. Etrasco, the first Terrier to make the Team USA roster, is only one of two collegiate players on the team.
While Etrasco’s statistics speak for themselves, her leadership has also had a huge impact on the rest of her Terrier teammates.
“In general, she is someone who raises everyone’s level of play,” Robertshaw said. “She also puts down that challenge of ‘Come on, let’s go, let’s play at this level. I’m going to trust you, so I’m going to make those feeds.’”
After Wednesday’s game, it became apparent that other BU players would have to step up in order to match Etrasco’s play and competitiveness.
“For me, I’m on board with her that the team has to step up,” Robertshaw said. “If she’s going to trust you to feed the ball, then you’ve got to make those catches.
“She needs a supporting cast, and it’s not taking anything away from the other players, but in this game, it exposed some people that need to elevate their game.”
While this is her final season at Boston University, Etrasco’s lacrosse career is certainly far from ending. After the 2013 NCAA season comes to a close, Etrasco will travel to Oshawa, Ontario, to play in the 2013 FIL World Cup from July 11 to 20, where Team USA will look to capture its seventh world championship.
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