Women’s lacrosse holds undefeated title during spring break, Lady Bullets listed fifth in Div. III National Poll
Photo courtesy of Gettysburg Athletics. Senior Abby Baigelman picked up her 100th career point on Saturday, scoring back-to-back goals in the first half of the game.
By Elizabeth Hilfrank, Staff Writer
“Break” is not a word used to describe what the women’s lacrosse team did over the past week. While others lied on beaches, the lady Bullets worked to maintain their undefeated status, and they did so successfully, moving up to fifth place in the Division III poll.
Gettysburg defeated seventh-place Salisbury University 10-8 on Wednesday. It was a tight match as the two teams collectively hold four of the last six national titles.
The Bullets defense proved strong and held the Sea Gulls to a season low of sixteen shots.
Yet the offense was powerful as well, with seven players contributing to the team’s score.
“Our game vs. Salisbury was unreal…we never backed down because we knew we worked way too hard to come back to the Burg defeated,” said senior captain Amanda Borucki.
Borucki contributed to the team’s success with a goal scored in the last thirty-seconds of the game.
“They were probably the toughest competition we’ve faced so far this season, but it was also one of the best games,” said sophomore Katie Willis. “Everyone played their best, our attack took great shots, our defense shut down their offense so well, and our goalie played a great game.”
Only three days later, Gettysburg returned to earn another double-digit win, defeating Washington and Lee University 10-3.
Again, the defense came out with force to hold the Generals to a mere thirteen shots. In the last ten minutes of the game, the Generals were only able to attempt one shot on goal.
“Washington and Lee presented a different kind of challenge for us,” said Willis. “Their style is so different from ours; they like to slow down the pace, and are extremely methodical and take their time, waiting for the right opportunity. They had a solid defense and made us earn every single goal.”
Willis scored the sixth goal of the game for the Bullets during the first half of the game.
While six Bullets scored throughout the four quarters, the game held special prominence for senior Abby Baigelman.
Baigelman earned her 100th career point Saturday, scoring back-to-back goals in the first half of the game.
Baigelman is currently tied with sophomore Jordy Bonvini of Muhlenberg College as the top point scorer for the Centennial Conference. They both have seventeen points.
The top scorer is not the only area that Gettysburg reaches in the stat leader section of the conference.
Besides Baigelman, junior Emma Christie is tied for first in goals with sophomore Fiona Steele of Bryn Mawr University (14), followed by Borucki in third (13).
Christie was also named offensive player of the week on Feb. 29 when she scored six-goals in a game against Stevenson University.
Another first place stat leader is senior Maggie Connolly, who is tied with senior Grace Saliba of Franklin and Marshall for most assists (8), with Baigelman following in fourth (6).
While no in-conference competitions have occurred, Gettysburg College currently ranks first with the most wins, standing at 5-0. The Bullets also rank second for most goals scored and shots taken.
In the Conference preview at the beginning of the season, the Centennial Conference board placed Gettysburg as a definite competitor in the conference final.
“I have a very high confidence level for this year’s team,” said Borucki. “Every single person comes out to practice with high intensity levels and the intention to get better personally, while at the same time making their teammates better.”
“I think our team is looking stronger than ever and I’m anxious to see where it takes us,” said Willis.
“We all believe in ourselves and we know the process to get our goal of becoming the next D3 National champions,” said Borucki.
Gettysburg returns to competition this Saturday, March 19, at 1:00pm to face the College of New Jersey, who the Bullets just knocked out of fifth place, on its home turf.
