Rookie Magic – Women’s lacrosse looks to talented freshman for offense

The Albion women’s lacrosse team showed progress this last weekend in tough losses to Oberlin College and Ohio Wesleyan University.

In their loss to Oberlin on Saturday Mar. 17, Ashley Glenn, New Hudson first-year, and Mackenzie Novak, Waterford first-year, scored 3 goals and 2 goals respectively in their first game as Britons.  Taylor Peruchietti, Lansing junior added another goal.

“We started off really rough in the first half; Lauren Perugi broke her hand during the warm up for that game so she was not fully on track for a lot of the game,” coach Jackie Rutkowski said.  “We were outscored 12-2 in that first half, but after half time, we got focused and managed to match Oberlin 4-4 in the second half.”

The next day the Brits had another tough loss to Ohio Wesleyan University.  In that game Melissa DiRado, Northville senior, scored 4 goals on 5 shots while Novak and Erica Boomer, Bloomfield Hills first year, added 3 goals and 2 goals respectively.

Although they have had some struggles early in the season, the Britons have had strong contributions from first year starters who have stepped up to the challenge collegiate athletics early in their careers.  First year starters Boomer, Glenn and Novak have combined for 10 of Albion’s 15 goals so far this season.  Glenn was named starter at the beginning of the season.

“It’s been really fun and it’s a great feeling to be one of the first ones out there on the field,” Boomer said.  “The fact that we don’t have that many girls who came out this year has made it difficult for us, but the fact that coach [Rutkowski] trusts in me to go out there and contribute is really a big honor for me.”

The women’s Lacrosse team only has 13 players on their roster for a sport that requires 12 in order to field a team.  Due to their limited numbers it has been difficult for them to keep up with other teams for the entirety of games.

“We’re lacking in numbers; we have a lot of freshman, but everyone goes out there and has fun with it and works really hard,” Captain Melissa DiRado said.  “Numbers have been hurting but there isn’t much we can do about it at this point so we’re just looking to stay positive and keep competing.”