The College’s women’s lacrosse team had something to prove in their match against St. Mary’s College after being ranked fifth in the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Association Division III poll earlier in the week.
The Lions supported that ranking and sent a message in their season opener by defeating the Seahawks by a score of 16-6.
“It was really exciting to be out on field after two months of preseason,” freshman Jillian Nealon said.
The victory put the Lions at 1-0 on the season, while the Seahawks dropped to 0-5.
The Lions came out on fire against the Seahawks scoring the first seven goals of the match and taking an 8-2 lead into halftime.
Junior midfielder Alison Jaeger had the hottest stick on the team as she posted a career-high 11 points. Jaeger scored eight goals in her performance and also tacked on three assists.
Jaeger first scored to make it 2-0 about three minutes into the match. Jaeger’s goal was followed up with another score 16 seconds later by senior attacker Robin Deehan to put the Lions ahead 3-0.
Deehan would score another goal and add a pair of assists on the afternoon to help her team come out victorious.
Sophomore midfielder Leigh Mitchell returned to the field in 2010 in memorable fashion as she scored the game’s first goal 36 seconds into the match.
Mitchell — who missed a majority of the 2009 season due to injury — scored three goals of her own and assisted on four others.
Senior attacker Lisa Seldeen added to the victory as she put a pair of goals into the net.
The Lions also got a valuable contribution from Nealon — a first-time player. The freshman attacker began her career as a Lion on a high note as she recorded her first collegiate goal and assist.
“I was a little nervous,” Nealon said, “but the older girls were good leaders and they really helped me out.”
Backing up the Lions potent offensive attack was junior goalie Mary Waller who had six saves on the afternoon.
The Lions will have to wait to justify their No. 1-ranking in the New Jersey Athletic Conference coaches’ poll as their match-up against Ramapo University was postponed until Apr. 12 due to lingering weather conditions.
The Lions will travel to Cabrini College Thursday March 18 for a 4 p.m. showdown. Then the College travels to Drew University on Saturday March 20 for a game at 1 p.m.
