Foresters Defeat Host Marquette at the Marquette Play Day!
The women’s lacrosse team travelled to Milwaukee, Wisconsin for a three-game play day at Marquette University. The Foresters would appear in the opening game of the play day against the Golden Eagles at 8:00 AM.
The Golden Eagles would jump out to a 2-0 lead after just 4 minutes of play. The quick two quick strikes would press the Foresters into action. The next draw was won Junior Sarah Milligan, who would win the draw and take the ball the length of the field for the Foresters first goal of 2012. Milligan has a knack for being the first Forester to score, she did so in five games in 2011.
The Foresters would tie the game at 2-2 on the next possession off a fast break. Sophomore Amelia Lawrence charged to front of the goal.Marquette answered the Forester surge, after a long possession scoring on Sophomore goalie Barbaro Wye.
Sophomore defensive wing Sarah Jonathon found the back of the net to tie the game at 3-3 for the Foresters. After Milligan won the next draw, a quick pass to the stick of Lawrence, gave her an opportunity to "roll the crease" for her second goal of the game and the Foresters took the lead again 4-3. The Foresters had a surge of momentum and Milligan’s would keep it going as she dunked the shot in a high right corner over the goalie’s head to give the Forester’s a two goal lead at 5-3. The Forester’s lost the next draw and would commit an illegal check inside the 8 meter, gave up a free position shot, which Marquette would convert.
The Foresters finally established a settled attack and capitalized off a poised pass from freshman Erin Shamley to Sophomore Emily White who found the back of the goal ending the first half with a score of 6-4.
"At half-time, we really focused on our positioning for draws, and communicating on defense. There were times, where we were playing very tentative in the half field set up. I wanted to see a greater sense of urgency by the midfielders in getting back on defense. I felt like we were outnumbered a few times, and it was a communication and hustle issue. We are a very deep team, and because of that, we should never be tired on the field," said Catanzaro.
The Foresters come out in attack mode to start the second half. After controlling the initial draw, Lawrence scored her third goal of the game after drawing a free position on a drive to goal. Lake Forest would continue to find their "flow" on the next possession. Milligan controlled the draw and quickly passed to a streaking Emily White, leading to a graceful. Freshman Lindsay Jewett would score her first collegiate goal an assist from Milligan who was standing behind the cage. Jewett's goal would put the Foresters up 9-5.
Marquette would final stop the Forester onslaught by winning the draw and charging the cage. A shooting space violation would provide the Golden Eagles with another free position shot conversion. Milligan controlled the nest draw and circled the goal before passing to Jonathon on a perfect cut to goal. The pass was on target, and Jonathon would pump fake before putting and shot past the Marquette goalie. The goal would be Jonathan's second goal of the game and Milligan’s third assist.
The Foresters attack began to wear down Marquette, with lengthy possessions. The Foresters were able to execute some set offensive plays with great effectiveness considering it was the first game of the season.
"I was impressed that we were able to run a few of our sets. Last season we had a hard time getting everyone on the same page, especially early in the season. I think that the great weather definitely benefited us. We were able to have a few whole team, practices on the turf. In 2011, we only had one outdoor practice before our first game due to the weather. This should allow us to really advance our schematic growth as the season progresses," said Catanzaro.
One of the set plays Catanzaro was speaking of, lead to White completing her hat trick of the day, making the score 11-6. Marquette continued to compete hard against the Foresters, and after a few changes of possession between the restraining lines,they were able to cut the lead to 11-7. A follow up goal would be their final on the day as they recorded another free possession goal against the Foresters. The Foresters would add an insurance goal from Sophomore Amanda Forsyth with four minutes to go in the game. Forsyth's goal came on a strong side arm shot just past the goalie's hip. The final tally gave the Foresters a 12-8 victory over the home team Golden Eagles.
Despite facing 12 free position shots, sophomore goalie Barbara Wye only let in 5, which made up more than half of Marquette’s total 8 goals. Wye was also a standout in the flow of the game recording a save percentage of .63% for the game.
Defensively Lawrence led the team in ground balls, while Milligan led in draw controls, contributing to three out of 13 won by Lake Forest. Great defensive plays were made on the field by returners Junior Jenn Caldwell, Sophomore Maeve Connelly and Sophomore Stacey Dierking. The Foresters forced 23 turnovers on the day, with Lawrence and Shamley each recording four.
"I was thoroughly impressed with our play. It was a great way to start the season with a new team. I continue to marvel at how young we are on our roster. We have only two seniors, and both of those ladies are in their first year with the program," concluded Catanzaro.
-Lake Forest College Sophomore Amelia Lawrence contributed to the writing of this article.
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