Women’s Lacrosse: Terriers Fall Flat in Comeback Attempt Against Colgate

By: Hannah Connors

Boston University Women’s Lacrosse (7-7, 2-5 PL) fell to the Colgate University Raiders (8-6, 4-3 PL) 14-10 on Wednesday evening in Hamilton, N.Y.

Colgate University came out fast, quickly establishing an early 3-0 lead. 

After winning the draw, midfielder Lucy Licata passed to attacker Aubrey McMahon at the top of the 8-meter arc, who scored the first goal of the game.

Despite the Terriers generating some offensive opportunities midway through the quarter, the shot clock hindered their possession time, enabling Colgate to widen their lead.

Midfielder Kendall Sims was the first to put the Terriers on the scoreboard. After being pushed in the crease, Sims was awarded a free position shot, leading to the Terriers’ first goal of the game.

BU built on this momentum, netting two more goals. Two defensive players crashed in on attacker Izabella Amonte, leaving midfielder Jayne Feeney with a clear alley to score.

Sequentially, midfielder Leah Hodgins notched the Terriers’ third goal after coming around behind the net, faking high, then shooting high to tie the game 3-3.

This offensive momentum, however, was short-lived. BU’s lack of speed allowed Colgate to score three consecutive goals, taking advantage of opportunities created by running past defenders and exploiting the ample free space due to BU’s spread-out defense.

Though the score may not have reflected it, the second quarter was characterized by even play between both teams.

From behind the net, McMahon connected with midfielder Kendall Belanger, who scored the Raiders’ seventh goal. Colgate wasted no time extending their lead, quickly adding another goal off a free position.

The Terriers’ first opportunity in the second quarter came from a penalty. With the extra player, midfielder Tessa Geddes, assisted by attacker Hannah Tillier, found herself wide open in front of the net, bringing BU to 4-8.

After this goal, the Terriers’ speed picked up significantly. Feeney was pressured defensively in the 8-meter arch, but managed to slip past her defender and score BU’s fifth goal.

Following this goal, both teams matched each other’s speed and had equal opportunities, but Colgate was able to leverage this. While the Terriers double-teamed attacker Ella Bishara, her nifty stick work, combined with the defenders in front of the net, left goaltender Natalie Aiosa with virtually no chance to see the ball and save Bishara’s no-look shot.

BU closed the half by scoring their sixth goal after Sims made an interception. Sims passed to Amonte, who drew a double team, leaving Sims open to cut in front of the net and score.

In the third quarter, the Terriers came out strong, netting more shots on goal, earning more free-position attempts, and saving more shots than Colgate.

Despite the Terriers’ dominant offensive presence, the first eight minutes of the third quarter remained scoreless. 

BU gained momentum after a penalty kill, breaking the ice when Elle Stevenson netted an unassisted goal towards the end of the penalty kill. Geddes followed Stevenson’s pattern, scoring another unassisted goal and closing the score deficit to just one.

However, BU couldn’t maintain this short trail for long due to Colgate’s strong draw percentage, which they upheld throughout the entirety of the game. Following another Raiders’ win on the draw, attacker Caroline Panzirer found Bishara on the crease, who netted an easy 10th goal for Colgate. 

Aiosa struggled to save shots when players were up close on the crease, making it easy for Colgate to capitalize the rest of the game. 

Although Feeney and Stevenson scored a goal more a piece for BU to cap off the fourth period, the Terriers’ late push wasn’t enough to gain a lead. In the final minutes, Colgate dominated in clears and committed very few fouls, leading to more offensive opportunities. 

BU’s frustration was epitomized by an ill-timed penalty with just a minute remaining, eliminating any chance of a comeback and ending the game at 14-10.

The Terriers will aim to bounce back against American University on Saturday, April 19th, at 12 p.m. in Washington, D.C. Streaming will be available on ESPN+.