The Colgate women’s lacrosse team knew there was a lot at stake entering Wednesday’s contest against Boston University. The winner would secure a spot in the upcoming Patriot League Tournament and increase their likelihood to host the first round. Thanks to a dominant second half performance led by junior attack Lauren Gorajek, the Raiders walked away with an 11-7 victory and inched one step closer to achieving their ultimate goal this season: winning a Patriot League championship. 

Wednesday’s game at Boston University looked far different from what one would expect in the first week of April. With harsh and rainy winds whipping across the field, it was evident during the pregame warm-up that both teams would have to adjust their game plan in order to deal with the tough conditions. Although both teams committed several turnovers and struggled offensively in the first half, Colgate ultimately did not let the weather faze them and regrouped at halftime to carry out a commanding second half run. 

The game looked to be a nail-biter at halftime with a tied score and both teams rallying back and forth to take the lead. The second half would be dominated by Colgate though, as Gorajek scored her second goal of the day in the first five minutes, to spark the Raiders run. 

Colgate’s balanced offense has benefited them all season long and it proved to be the difference yet again in the victory over the Terriers. The game featured seven

different goal scorers, four of which scored during the second half run started by Gorajek to give Colgate a 9-6 lead with 15 minutes left to play. Junior attack player, Kallan Murray, and Colgate’s leading goal scorer this season, Megan Ark, scored the final two goals of the game to secure the 11-7 win and lock up the Raiders’ spot in the Patriot League Tournament. 

Defenders Jenna Frost and Kristen Norden also picked up two groundballs each and goalie Jennie Berglin finished with seven saves. 

Although the team was pleased that their post-season fate was secured, they quickly had to prepare for another tough Patriot League contest against Lafayette on Saturday. With only two more Patriot League games remaining in the regular season, the outcome of Saturday’s contest would have a potential effect on determining Colgate’s seed going into the tournament. 

The Raiders not only dominated in all aspects of the game against the Leopards to walk away with a commanding 16-6 victory, but it was also was a very special day for two of the team’s valued senior leaders. Defender Jenna Frost recorded the 100 caused turnover of her career and attacker Megan Ark scored her 100 career goal. Frost is just the second player since the 1998 season to record the career milestone. 

“It was really exciting getting my 100 career caused turnover especially on the same day Megan Ark got her 100 career goal,” Frost said. “It’s just a great validation for all the hard work we’ve put in during our time at Colgate.”

Ark currently leads the team in scoring with 26 goals this season. After being selected to the First Team All-Patriot League team last season, the personal

milestone is just one of the many accolades that she has garnered over her successful career at Colgate. 

With the two wins this week the Raiders improved their overall record to 8-5 and currently sit at third in the Patriot League standings. The team will wrap up its regular season with two home games this week. Colgate takes on out-of-conference opponent Binghamton on Tuesday at 4 p.m. followed by a 1 p.m. contest on Saturday against American University. Saturday’s contest not only marks the end of the regular season but will also recognize and celebrate the team’s five seniors and their careers at Colgate.