Lacrosse honors seniors before win

A 21-12 thrashing of Binghamton University was not the only thing the Boston University women’s lacrosse team took away from Saturday afternoon’s game, as the team also celebrated Senior Day.

The Terriers (5-6, 2-2 America East) honored the four seniors who have helped lead the team to a 34-30 overall record and a 16-5 conference record during their four years of donning the scarlet and white.

The four seniors were also integral to the team’s postseason success in the last few years, as they helped lead the Terriers to an appearance in the 2010 NCAA Tournament and captured the 2012 America East regular-season championship title.

Before Saturday’s contest, attack Danielle Etrasco, midfielder Kristen Mogavero, defender Monica Baumgartner and goalkeeper Kim Elsworth were honored in front of more than 400 fans at Nickerson Field.

With all four players manning different positions, each have made their impact in different ways on this BU team.

Elsworth, from Ballston Lake, N.Y., has appeared in 17 games for the Terriers, recording 37 saves. While she primarily served as a backup during her tenure at BU, BU coach Liz Robertshaw said the impact she had on her teammates off the field is what made her such a valuable part of this team.

“With Kim Elsworth, you have a goalie that could easily throw in the towel and not be someone who talks a lot because she’s not the starting goaltender, but instead she’s the opposite,” Robertshaw said. “She is very vocal, gets everyone ready and she will do anything asked of her.”

Baumgartner, from Silver Spring, Md., has been a consistent presence on defense for the Terriers, appearing in 50 games. Named to the America East All-Tournament Team during her junior season in 2012, Baumgartner’s final season at BU was tragically cut short when the defender tore her ACL during a matchup with the University of Maryland-Baltimore County March 23.

“For Monica Baumgartner … she was trying to play through a torn labrum and then tore the ACL,” Robertshaw said. “Seeing tears in her eyes because all she wanted to do was play today was heartbreaking. But she has been so great for us defensively and I think she’s led us.”

But Baumgartner made her presence known with an impressive junior year, during which she posted career highs in ground balls (17), draw controls (13) and forced turnovers (12). She started all 15 games she appeared in during the season.

Mogavero, from Massapequa, N.Y., has been a vital contributor on offense for the Terriers, recording 83 points in 68 games. Named a tri-captain this season, Mogavero is currently second on the team in goals with 19.

Her impact was felt immediately upon joining the BU squad, as Mogavero played all 20 games for the Terriers in her freshman campaign and started in 10 of those contests. She put up 18 goals and one assist on the season.

Mogavero had one of the best games of her career against Binghamton (2-9, 1-3 America East), scoring six goals to help lead the Terrier offense.

“Kristen is just a spark for us,” Robertshaw said. “[She has] battled injuries and it’s been hard for her to get through a lot of these games, and she keeps fighting because it matters so much to her. It’s been amazing.”

Etrasco, also from Massapequa, N.Y., has been one of the greatest players in Terrier lacrosse history, recording 216 points in just 63 games.

A member of the U.S. Women’s Lacrosse National Team, Etrasco has garnered numerous accolades during her time at BU, such as America East All-Rookie Team, America East All-Conference Team, America East Co-Player of the Year and IWLCA All-American honors.

After an 18-goal freshman campaign, Estrasco’s success-laden collegiate career took off, as she scored 57 goals and contributed 41 draw controls in her sophomore year ,and put up a career-high 58 goals and 22 assists for 80 points as a junior.

“Danielle has always been that ‘next great player at BU,’ and she’s living up to that expectation,” Robertshaw said.

For Robertshaw, even though the senior class was not the largest group, its impact certainly was immeasurable.

“This group is a small group, but they are a strong group,” Robertshaw said. “They have so much personality for just the four of them.”