Women’s Lacrosse poised for playoff push following senior game win
by Thor Illick
After a close defeat to Williams days prior, the Colby women’s lacrosse team scored a strong victory this Saturday against a worthy competitor in their game against Trinity College.
Though it was a home game, the conditions were not favorable to either team. The stormy weather and dark skies necessitated the use of the overhead lights, but could not dampen the Mules’ determination to pull out the win.
The Trinity Bantams went into Saturday’s game with a record of nine wins and only four losses. The Mules, also boasting a winning record, had seven wins and five losses. Though Trinity’s record was no cause for alarm, a goal scored by Trinity’s Mary French only a minute into the game could have set the Bantams up for an early and decisive lead. The defiant Mules fired back quickly though, with two goals scored in quick succession. The first was scored by Robyn Pirie ’21, assisted by Emma Banks ’20. Less than a minute later Banks herself scored a free position shot, putting a quick end to any hopes that the Bantams may have had about maintaining a comfortable lead.
After an exciting start the Mules kept the pressure on, scoring four more unanswered goals and dominating possession. Two free position shots from sophomore Grace Langmuir, and then senior Bridget Horwood, set the score at 4–1 with 10 minutes still remaining in the first half.
Next, Pirie and Banks both went back for seconds, each scoring another goal before Trinity could manage to counter. Down by five points, and with only six minutes remaining in the first half, Trinity’s Sydney Bell scored an unassisted goal on Colby. But before the buzzer sounded, Pirie scored her third goal of the game, and Langmuir scored her second. At the half the Mules were up by six points, and prepared themselves to finish the game off with a comfortable lead.
In the second half, the Bantams again scored early. Starting off with a goal, this time scored by Annie Lyman, Trinity then provoked another dominant response by the Mules. Assisted by McGara Dewan ’19, Kate Burkett ’19 scored her first goal of the contest. After Burkett made her mark, Banks and Pirie returned again for their respective third and fourth goals of the game.
While the offense continued to deal blows to the Bantams, the Colby defense prevented Trinity from making any counter punches, holding them scoreless for over 16 minutes. While the Bantams were able to add three points to the board in the final minutes of the game, the Mules remained disciplined and polished. The final score was 13–6, a commanding win for Colby Women’s Lacrosse, and a great way to celebrate graduating players on their Senior Game.
After the game, Pirie discussed what this win meant for the team. “Saturday was a great win for our team and an awesome way to honor our seniors on senior day,” she said. “Everyone played extremely well and every person on our team — on and off the field — played a huge role in our win.”
The Mules finished the regular season against Bates on Wednesday. This game had not yet been played when the Echo went to print. With the team currently tied for sixth in the NESCAC standings, Colby looks poised for yet another playoff appearance.
