With two games remaining on their schedule, the RPI women’s lacrosse team found themselves mostly fighting for pride and respect with the year coming to an end, and the playoffs falling further out of grasp. Rensselaer had the luxury of finishing off its season at home, though both games figured to be difficult tasks, with match-ups against William Smith and Rochester.
On Friday battling the Herons, the Red Hawks dug themselves an early hole, falling behind 5-0. Senior Jessica Tanner and junior Sarah Dillon combined for four of William Smith’s first five goals, and sent a message in the early going.
The Red Hawks initiated the makings of a comeback with two goals, the first one from senior Rebecca Primm, and the second from freshman Kerri Clark, just 20 seconds later, as RPI began to show signs of life.
Tanner would go on to score her third of the first half for the Herons, but that wasn’t all the damage that was done. With play coming to a close, William Smith was able to post eight scores in the first half. The Red Hawks would do some minor damage of their own with three additional goals, but heading into the half, William Smith had an 8-5 lead.
Coming out of the break, the Herons seemed to taste victory as they went on a vicious scoring run, posting six consecutive goals and building an 11-5 lead. This was a huge blow for the Red Hawks, as it is always difficult to play from behind and try to catch up.
Sophomore Natalie White was able to score twice in the second half, but that would be it for RPI, as the team went on to lose the game 15-7.
William Smith was led by Tanner, Dillon, and Jessica Scott, who posted three goals each. Sophomores Rachel Stahl—two goals and an assist—and Jesse McKenna—one goal and three assists—contributed nicely as well.
The RPI offense was led by Clark, who had three goals. White, Primm, senior captain Kate Phillips, and junior Michelle Michalenko each were able to score once for the Red Hawks.
The following day Rensselaer was back in action versus Rochester. This time, however, it was the Red Hawks who jumped out to an early lead. White and Phillips each scored once to give RPI a 2-0 lead in the opening minutes.
Rochester, however, bounced back and scored four straight goals of their own. Freshman Lindsay Dakin, who had two of her three goals in the first half, led the charge. Phillips would score once more before the break, putting RPI down just one, 4-3, at the break.
When the action picked back up in the second half, Rensselaer was again the aggressor, at least at the start. The Red Hawks were able to put in the first goal of the second half as well, but this would be a false sense of hope. Unfortunately, the Yellowjackets would turn it on and blow the game open after scoring six straight goals. The visitors would go on to beat the homestanding Red Hawks in their season finale by a score of 10-4.
The Rochester assault was led by freshman Abby Woodward who had three goals and an assist. Junior Christian Montano had two scores, while Alanna Tievsky had one goal and one assist.
For the Red Hawks, Phillips and White had two apiece, which unfortunately was all that RPI was able to score on the final day of the season. The women’s lacrosse team finishes the year with a record of 4-10 overall, and 2-6 in the Liberty League.
The Red Hawks, who, over the last five years have gone from obscurity to a threat on a national level, had a difficult going this season. There are, however, many positives they can take out of the year. They showed the fight and desire to hang with some of the league’s fiercest competition, demonstrated the ability to come back on multiple occasions, and showed even more of what RPI women’s lacrosse was about in terms of play near the end of the season.
With a core of young players, the Red Hawks most certainly have some key pieces, and will look to turn things around next year. And though recruiting women to come to RPI can be a difficult task, Head Coach Leslie Khachadourian puts it nicely: “The ones that do come here are truly exceptional as both students and athletes, and once they get here, they excel.” Look for the Red Hawks to rebound next season in their pursuit of a championship.
