It was a week of ups and downs for West Chester University’s (8-2. 6-0 PSAC East) Women’s lacrosse team. The Golden Rams started the week on Sunday by losing to No. 10 Gannon. For the Rams it was their second loss in a row after compiling an impressive 26-game winning streak. The back-to-back losses caused the Rams to drop from first to fifth in the country. The Rams finished the week in style with a pair of blowout victories over Kutztown and Shippensburg.
The Rams 14-13 loss to Gannon marked the team’s first multiple game losing streak since 2006. For Gannon it was their sixth straight win. The game, which took place in Erie, Pa., marked the end of a season opening eight-game road trip for the Rams. The team will spend the next six games at home.
The Rams fell behind early, and despite a late rally, were unable to catch up to red-hot Gannon, which held a pair of five-goal leads in the contest. WCU outscored their opponents by a score of 6-2 over the game’s final 15 minutes.
Gina DiDomenicis scored two goals in the loss, while Claire Grimwood tallied four of her own, including three in succession for the natural hat trick.
In net, Mary Beth Green stopped nine shots, while taking her second loss of the season.
The Rams got back to their winning ways on rainy Wednesday by beating Kutztown by a score of 25-7. Despite the elements, WCU scored early and often against a Kutztown team that seemed outmatched in every aspect of the game. The Rams defense forced turnovers that the offense quickly converted into goals and Green stood tall in net.
WCU also dominated in the faceoff circle and led the game by a score of 16-3 at the half.
Jackie Baker and Chrissy Stokes led the way offensively for the Rams with four goals apiece. Baker had a natural hat trick of her own, as she scored the final three goals of the first half for the Rams. Stokes also had two assists on the day as well.
Courtney Whiting added a hat trick of her own in the game, while Grimwood, Devon Lotkowski and Shannon Hayes all scored twice for the Rams.
Green started the game in net and recorded five saves. She was replaced by Brittany Barnes for the game’s final 12 minutes.
The Rams followed up that performance with a 20-6 victory over Shippensburg on Saturday afternoon.
Whiting tallied five goals and Grimwood registered eight points (3 goals, 5 assists) towards the big home victory. The Golden Rams held an 11-2 lead at the half.
Gabrielle Stitz added a hat trick of her own while Stokes scored twice and Baker scored once, while assisting on four others. Haines scored twice and picked up an assist. DiDomenicis, Jenny Ingram, Jackie Hoover and Shannon Hayes also scored for the Rams.
Green made seven saves in net for the Rams.
West Chester University helped raise $327 at the contest for its “Lax 4 Life” program to help adolescent suicide prevention foundations across the state.
The program benefits the Allyson Fund, which aims to prevent adolescent suicide. The fund was started in honor of West Chester net minder Green’s younger sister Allyson.
“We are all Pennsylvania State schools, and I felt it was important to keep the donations as close to home as possible,” West Chester head coach Ginny Martino said. “That way we will all see the benefits to our local schools in the future.”
West Chester will team with Kutztown on April 22 in Kutztown, Pa., for its other “Lax 4 Life” game.
The Rams will next be in action on Tuesday at home against Bloomsburg.
Colin McGlinchey is a fourth-year student majoring in English with a minor in Journalism. He can be reached at CM646588@wcupa.edu.