The women’s lacrosse team destroyed La Salle 16-1 last Saturday, but succumbed to No. 16 Cornell 10-7 yesterday afternoon. Both games were on the road.

Coming into last Saturday’s game against La Salle, Colgate’s women’s lacrosse team could have overlooked a squad that had won only one game last year. The Raiders did just the opposite, blowing the Explorers out of the water in a 16-1 shellacking. Junior middie Meghan Lawler and first-year middie Courtney Miller led the way with three goals apiece; the latter collecting the first three collegiate goals of her career.

Any signs of a letdown were dispelled right off the opening faceoff as sophomore midfielder Colleen Bubnack scored just 17 seconds into the affair.

“We don’t take anyone lightly,” Miller said, “It’s what Coach Bliss instills in us.”

Less than a minute after the first tally Lawler added the first of her three, as she would add her other two before the half. Miller collected her first goal with less than five minutes left in the half, as the Raiders held an 11-0 halftime advantage.

“I wanted to step up and make an impact in my first road game. A good win would prove that our hard work in practice was paying off,” Miller said, “When I scored that first goal it was amazing, an indescribable feeling. My roommate [first-year goalie Christina Roa] and I have been waiting for college lacrosse forever, and to get that first goal was great.”

After the intermission Colgate picked up right where it left off, scoring four more unanswered goals to take a 15-0 lead. At this point eight different players had scored goals for the Raiders, and in addition to Miller and Lawler, senior midfielder Ashley Didio, junior attack Brie Moran and senior attack Sarah Kellogg had scored more than one. The Explorers were lucky to find the back of the net with 8:49 remaining to make it 15-1, but then two other first-years finished off the scoring, as Greer Goebels set up first-year Katie Sullivan for the Raiders’ final goal.

“As freshmen it’s important for all of us to keep Colgate’s reputation going. They made the NCAA Tournament last year and we don’t want that to end,” Miller said.

The Raiders knew they were in for a battle against Cornell and fought hard but ultimately came up a bit short.

The game started off a bit slow for the Raiders as Cornell quickly went up 2-0. However, Moran was there to stop the bleeding, finding the back of the net to make the score 2-1. The teams then traded goals, and it appeared the score would be 4-3 heading into the half, but Miller came through in the clutch with a late goal, knotting the game at four heading into the intermission.

Out of the break, Colgate was able to garner their first lead of the contest, as Moran found the net again for a 5-4 Colgate lead. From there however, the Big Red took over, scoring four unanswered goals to make it 8-5. Lawler answered back with a goal to close the deficit to two, but that was the closest the Raiders would get.

Much like the La Salle game, the Raiders enjoyed balanced scoring in the contest, but the shot differential seemed to be the difference as Cornell out shot Colgate 28-19. In addition, the Big Red defense seemed effective at disrupting the Raider attack, causing 13 forced turnovers to the Raiders five.

The Raiders will return to action this Sunday against Penn State, looking to get back on the winning track against another quality opponent.

“We’re going to be better than we were last year,” Miller said. “Our unity is so tight both on and off the field, and that will allow us to do big things. There is always the pressure of defending [the Patriot League] title, but that won’t stop us.”