For the first time in 13 years, the AU women’s lacrosse team has opened the season with two straight victories.
The Eagles (2-0, 0-0 PL) followed up their season-opening win against Davidson College by defeating Columbia University 14-7 Feb. 25 at Jacobs Field.
“We’re excited, and we’ll be excited for the rest of the day,” AU Assistant Coach Jackie Proch said. “But when Monday comes, we’ll be focused on our next opponent.”
Kimberly Collins led the way for AU, scoring five goals and tallying one assist on the afternoon. With her performance, Collins was named the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week.
Emily Burton added three goals in the victory, as she teamed with Collins to account for more than half of AU’s goals. The junior duo has combined for 13 of the team’s 26 goals on the season.
“We have really high expectations for our returning attackers,” Proch said of Burton and Collins.
Taylor Gattinella and Kacie Johnson registered three scores each for the Lions (0-1, 0-0 Ivy).
The Eagles scored the game’s first three goals and six of the first seven to take a 6-1 lead midway through the first half. Collins scored four of her game-high five goals during the stretch, while Emily Stankiewicz and Samantha Marshall each recorded one.
Jordan Harrington scored to put the Eagles up 7-2 with 9:14 remaining in the first half, and that score stood until halftime.
Just like in the first half, AU opened the second half strong by scoring three of the first four goals to take a 10-3 advantage.
After Gattinella cut the deficit to 10-4, AU notched three straight scores to extend the lead to nine at 13-4.
Columbia scored three times over the final seven minutes, before Burton found the back of the net late for the 14-7 final.
“We played great for 50 minutes,” Proch said. “Now, we have to focus on playing well for 60.”
In the last seven minutes of the past two games against the Lions and Davidson, the Eagles have been outscored 6-1.
While Collins and Burton highlighted the offense, Emily Maher paced the AU defense. Maher picked up two ground balls, while causing three turnovers.
Kaska Komosinski made five saves while playing over 56 minutes in goal for AU.
The Eagles will look to stay unbeaten when Old Dominion University travels to Jacobs Field Feb. 29.
