Lacrosse falls to Richmond on senior day

By Frank Visco
Collegian Editor
April 26, 2006

Throughout the first half of Sunday’s game against the Richmond Spiders, there was a sense of magic in the air. The magic started right away, as four seniors, Kelly Cochlin, Kristen Davis, Kat Prokop and Nicole Sunderland, were honored in a ceremony before the game, their last at McCarthy Stadium.

“The four of them have given us four good years,” head coach Julie Weiss said. “The impact they’ve had on the team at key positions has been phenomenal, and they will be missed.”

The Explorers managed to keep the magic coming with a solid first half, in which they managed to match the Spiders goal for goal. In fact, they went into the half with a 2-2 tie, making it their first game in five outings to go into the half without a losing tally.

However, in the second half, the Spiders weaved a web of devastation, scoring eight second half goals en route to a commanding 10-4 victory over the Explorers.

“We had a great game plan and upheld for 50 of the 60 minutes,” Weiss said. “Richmond is an excellent team that’s been ranked in the top 15 all season long, so we knew it was going to be a battle. We did a great job for most of the game, but couldn’t finish out the second half.

“Richmond got draw control at key times late in the game and that hurt us. The score is not really indicative of how we played because it was only 6-4 with 10 minutes left. Being down late like that, we had to play a high pressure defense [which contributed to the high scoring differential].”

The Explorers did have several offensive bright spots. Prokop and juniors Catie Borneman and Tiffany Grossi each netted a goal. Meanwhile, Davis managed to accumulate two assists, as well as a goal of her own.

Although the Spiders proved to be less than friendly on the field, it was two Friends that caused much of the damage. Ashley and Mandy Friend combined for an impressive total of seven points – each Friend wound up with a hat trick, while Ashley also contributed an assist. Also contributing mightily for Richmond were Morgan Vahue (three goals) and Caroline McGuire (two assists).

On a positive note, Davis and Prokop, two long-term leaders for the team, were able to put forth good respective offensive showings in their last game at McCarthy stadium. In addition, although they did not register big offensive statistics, Cochlin and Sunderland also played well.

“The last game for seniors always means a lot for them and to contribute always makes the game a little sweeter,” Weiss said. “Cochlin and Sunderland didn’t score like the other two did, but Cochlin has always provided solid defense, and Sunderland is a key reserve for us because of her draw-taking ability. All four of the seniors were able to walk off the field Sunday with their heads held high.”

With the loss, their fifth straight, the Explorers dropped to 5-11. They will next take the field in their final game of the regular season at George Washington on Friday, April 28 at 3:30 p.m.

“We have an opportunity to go down there and get a win,” Weiss said. “The Atlantic 10 conference is anyone’s conference this year; people are just beating up on each other. In the same respect, the game on Friday will be anybody’s game. It just depends on who puts together a cleaner game and executes properly.”

viscof1@lasalle.edu