The Colgate women’s lacrosse team dropped its only contest this week to Lehigh,  12-6, at the Ulrich Sports Complex in Bethlehem, PA. The loss moves the Raiders to 3-2 in Patriot League play on the year and 8-4 overall before they host American next weekend. After averaging over 12 goals a game in their last five contests, the Raiders were held to just six on Saturday against an impressive and experienced Lehigh team. In fact, it was just the third time this year that the Raiders were held to fewer than ten goals, a testament to the team’s stellar offensive play throughout the season. 

Lehigh raced out to a 7-1 advantage at the end of the first half, and despite solid play in the second half from the Raiders, it proved to be too large of a deficit for the Raiders to overcome. Senior Haley O’Hanlon controlled four draws on the day, giving her 204 for her career and setting the Colgate record. O’Hanlon also scored two goals on the day, tying her single-season goal mark with her 33rd and 34th goals on the year. 

Head Coach Heather Young praised O’Hanlon for her hard work throughout the season.  

“Big congrats to Haley on her hard work on the draw circle today. I’m so proud to see her break the all-time Colgate career draw record. She is so deserving of it” Young  said.

Coach Young was underwhelmed by her team’s overall performance, stressing that they “had some big lapses in our game today and couldn’t fire on all cylinders for big portions of it. We had a lot of turnovers that really hurt us. Lehigh did a great job capitalizing on our mistakes and they played a great game. We will need to regroup and look to bounce back against American University.” 

Junior Tara Atkinson added two goals on the game as well, increasing her goal count on the season to 13, tying a career high. Sophomore Payton Gabriel scored her 18th goal of the season, and fellow sophomore Kate Kelly got in on the scoring action as well, scoring her third goal of the year. 

First year Danielle Van Calcar continued her stellar play on the season, adding an assist for her 23rd point on the year and securing four draw controls and two ground balls. Senior Kelly Haberl contributed some stellar defensive play, causing two turnovers and adding to her career high on the season. 

With four games to play in the regular season, Colgate looks to finish strong with three of their final four games coming at home. Colgate still holds solid standing in the Patriot League at 3-2 and will look to get back on track next weekend against the American Eagles. 

The American women’s lacrosse team has struggled of late, losing its last three games by a combined score of 58-18, a good sign for Raider hopefuls as the squad will look to gain momentum with a big win next Saturday as they play down the season’s final stretch.  The team will partner with Lace Up LAX to raise money and collect shoes for the Salvation Army of Syracuse as part of its April 14 game against American at 12 p.m. 

Contact Gabe Alter at galter@colgate.edu.