Kelsey Pieper’s statement now looks prophetic. “We’re looking forward to crushing [Siena],” the women’s lacrosse senior captain said before the Bearcats’ 15-7 thrashing of the Siena Saints (1-3), Wednesday at the Bearcats Sports Complex.
The 15 goals were the most the Bearcats (3-4) has scored this season.
“We came out with a lot of intensity,” said first-year head coach Tony Zostant.
The intensity of the entire team was shown by 10 different girls netting goals, which was also a season best.
“I don’t have one go-to girl,” Zostant said. “I’ve designed an offense where people get open … it’s not designed around one person.”
This type of offense was certainly displayed against the Saints, although there were individual standouts.
“We’re young and we’re learning how to win … the freshmen are learning how to play Division I lacrosse,” Zostant said.
If the freshmen are still learning, then they will be a force to be reckoned with in a few years. Freshman Ali Castiglie scored a game-high four points coming on two goals and two assists. Castiglie leads the team in overall scoring with 21 points through the Bearcats first seven games. This puts Castiglie on pace for three points a game which would put her second place all-time for the women’s single season record; first place is held by Becky Green who had 4.13 points per game in the 2004 season. Other freshmen also put on truly phenomenal performances. Freshman Lisa Illig scored three goals, securing her second hat trick of her collegiate career. Her first occurred on February 17 at William and Mary in a Bearcats loss. Kate Tesi and Erica Hill also had three points each, Tessi with two assists and a goal, and Hill with an assist and two goals, including the first goal of the match.
The other notable freshman situation was the start of Binghamton goalkeeper Lauren Scott. Scott did not play at all last game, although she has been credited with each of Binghamton’s three wins.
“We have an unclear goalie situation, but it goes game by game in terms of practice,” Zostant said about his constant mix-up of Scott and senior keeper Sandra Alvarez. “Eventually I would like to have a clear cut starter.”
Along with the prolific offensive numbers, the defense played very well too, only allowing eight first-half shots. The possession, which was a problem against Monmouth in a loss this past Sunday, was better. Binghamton junior defensive player Kim Delperuto showed her hustle throughout the game acquiring four ground balls, a game high. Binghamton captain Kara Slowik also had a good defensive outing with three ground ball recoveries, a draw control and a solid game in transition.
Zostant and the girls hope to keep the win streak alive on the road, especially because all three of their victories have come at BSC.
“We’d like to win on the road, but [losing] shows the inconsistency of a young team,” Zostant said. “We said at the beginning of the year that we wanted to defend our home field. I don’t think the program has ever started 3-1 at home.”
The team will be back on the field Sunday in Buffalo for a 1 p.m. face-off against Canisius (0-3).