The women’s lacrosse team began their spring break still searching for their first Patriot League win. After a busy week of traveling and long bus rides, the Raiders headed back to Hamilton with three convincing wins, two of which came against Patriot League opponents. Colgate put an exclamation point on a very successful spring break by defeating Bucknell 15-13 and improving their overall record to 5-3. 

After earning their first Patriot League victory against Lehigh a week prior, the Raiders were hungry to continue their winning ways. A few days later, the team played on out-of-league opponent, Longwood, and walked away with an 18-7 victory. The break concluded with a trip to Lewisburg, Pennsylvania for a crucial Patriot League match-up against the Bucknell Bison. 

The game was a high-scoring affair and saw seven different goal scorers for the Raiders. The team’s offense has been dynamic throughout the season and it proved to continue to be a major factor versus the Bison. Six different Colgate players scored in the first half to build a comfortable lead going into the second period. 

The Raiders saw their lead quickly diminish in the second half as Bucknell scored five unanswered goals to eventually tie it up at 11. This would be the closest the Bison would get though as Colgate’s balanced attacking unit got to work and responded with a 4-0 run. Freshman attack Haley O’Hanlon concluded the run with her team leading 18th goal of the season. 

Senior attack Megan Ark paced the team offensively with three goals and three assists in the contest. She is currently tied with O’Hanlon for overall points this season with 25 each. Both Ark and O’Hanlon rank fifth in the Patriot League in points per game. 

Senior goalie and two-time Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week Jennie Berglin stood strong in the net for the Raiders with five saves. Berglin leads the Patriot League in both save percentage and ground balls per game. Senior captain Jenna Frost and sophomore midfielder Sarah Bowles were steady for the Raider’s defensive unit as each forced three turnovers on the day. 

Junior attack Kallan Murray believes both the offense and defense have contributed to the team’s success so far this season. 

“We have a much more balanced attack this year than ever before. There are many threats and I think that makes us a tough team to scout or come up against,” Murray siad. “The defensive end is solid all around and having Jennie Berglin in goal and both captains back there as voices on defense really helps as well.”

Colgate is currently tied for third with Boston University in the Patriot League standings after going 3-0 over the break. After spending a significant amount of time on the road, the team will look for some well-deserved home-field advantage this week. Colgate welcomes a tough Ivy-League opponent in Brown on Tuesday at 4 p.m. and then picks up Patriot League play this Saturday, March 28, when first place Navy comes to town for a noon contest. 

Murray is excited for the future of the season and having the opportunity to compete for a spot in the Patriot League Tournament.

“We have some unfinished business from last year’s tournament and I think this year, if we keep up our game, we could be really successful.”