PHILADELPHIA, PA. 4/22/2012 – It was Senior Day for the LaSalle Explorers women’s lacrosse team as they their Atlantic 10 and city rival Saint Joseph’s Hawks. Mother Nature did not cooperate as the game was played in chilly, rainy, and basically miserable conditions. But it could not rain on the Explorers parade as they get a program record 10th victory beating the Hawks 11 – 3 at McCarthy Stadium.
“This was a one game season for us and come out and accomplish what we set out top accomplish all year,” said LaSalle Coach Candace Taglianetti. “We under achieved based on what our standards were, but at the same time we said ‘put it all past us’ and come out and take care of business, and show what we could do in building for the future.”
It was the type of day where it would be imperative to score first and play from ahead. The Explorers did that getting the first two goals of the game from Junior midfielder Lauren McDermott in the first five minutes plus of the game.
Saint Joseph’s got a goal back as Senior midfielder Jen Peters put the ball in the net. The Explorers answered by scoring the next three as Freshman attack Caitlyn Brostrand got one followed by two goals from Freshman midfielder Kelly Furman. LaSalle held a 6 – 2 halftime lead. Any hopes for a comeback by the Hawks were dashed as the Explorers Senior attack Taylor Ruland and Junior midfielder Melanie Sarcinello scored in the first ten minutes to give the team an 8 – 2 lead. Junior attack Nora McGuire tallied two goals for Saint Joseph’s in the halt. Sarcinello and two goals from Junior attack Jackie Roebuck ended the scoring.
Neither team will be going to the Atlantic 10 Tournament this season, a great disappointment for LaSalle. However, a win over a city rival is of great importance to the program.
“It is,” said Taglianetti. “We set out and try and beat everybody on our schedule, especially your crosstown rivals. We compete for the same recruits. We have a lot of girls whose best friends are on the other team. It’s a nice rivalry/camaraderie we’ve formed, and we really want to come out on top on that.”
The Explorers finish the season 10 – 6, 3 – 4 in conference. The 10 wins bested their total of 9 in 2005 and 2009. Saint Joseph’s closes out the year with a 5 – 10 mark, 1 – 5 in the Atlantic 10.
Senior Day Notes
As noted it was a time for the seniors to celebrate their final game at the school. For LaSalle it was a special class. They leave a legacy that included all but a postseason berth in 2012.
“This senior class has been special since they were freshman,” Taglianetti said. “They work hard day in and day out. They’re great leaders. Every kid on the team is friends with them. They respect everyone on the team, the coaching staff, and they’ve been an extension of us (the coaching staff). Our family is all grown up now. It’s hard to have a team this special, with all the right tools, that didn’t come out on top. That’s the unfortunate thing.”
The senior class includes; Midfielder Allison Herman, Defender Sara Ciaverelli, Defender Lauren Bushby, Attack Taylor Ruland, Defender Melissa DiTomo, Midfielder Nora McGurkin, Midfielder Rachel Baker, and Goal Keeper Megan Corliss.
It was the last game for the Saint Joseph’s senior class as well. Playing their last collegiate game were; Midfielder Alana Glanell, Midfielder Alli MacDonald, Midfielder Julie Mineweaser, Midfielder Elizabeth Fox, Midfielder Carly Kindbom, Attack Meghan McDevitt, Midfielder Jen Peters, and Midfielder Grace Dinn.
After the game was concluded, the post-game handshakes were over, and the last game ending speech from the coach was delivered, the under classmen had their chance to wish their upper classmen well. The hugs, the tears, and, yes, the smiles were a delight to see. It made one feel that something right was done over the past four years. The players have a memory, and maybe, just maybe, in the future whenever it rains, it will remind them of their Senior Day.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
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