Momentum swung back and forth. The GW women's lacrosse team fought hard but lost to ninth-ranked Richmond 16-14.
Junior attacker Laura Hostetler found the net four times in the Colonials' Atlantic 10 opener at the Mount Vernon Athletic Complex Sunday. Midfielder Kristin Karcsh, attacker Annie Howley and defenseman Katelyn Honeyford chipped in two goals each.
The Colonials only led once, 1-0, but erased a Richmond lead on four occasions. GW tied the game in the first half 2-2, after trailing by one, and again at 6-6 after falling behind by two. In the second period, GW evaporated yet another two goal deficit, knotting the game at 8-8, and then tied the contest once more, 12-12, deleting a Spiders' three goal advantage.
"We were down and we never stopped fighting," freshman midfielder Meghan Cratty said, with her right arm wrapped with an Ace bandage after falling during the game. "If we keep fighting so hard it will definitely work out for us."
The Colonials have six more conference games and must finish with one of the four best in-conference records to qualify for the A-10 tournament, to be held May 5-7 at Mount Vernon.
"We had more heart in this game than we had all year," Howley said. "I give (Richmond) a little respect. This was definitely the hardest team we've played. (I think) we'll see them again in the tournament and we'll show them how hard it is to beat a team twice."
The women have fallen four times to ranked opponents this year, including their loss to Richmond. They lost to Johns Hopkins University in late February, Towson University in March and the College of William and Mary (Va.) in March.
Ashley Friend (five goals), Mandy Friend (four) and Caroline McGuire (four) propelled Richmond's potent attack, which thwarted every GW comeback attempt. In the second half, the Spiders took a mere 43 seconds to regain the lead after GW tied the game at 8-8. On another occasion, Richmond scored just 46 seconds after the Colonials knotted the game at 12-12.
Junior attacker Laura Hostetler found the net four times in the Colonials' Atlantic 10 opener at the Mount Vernon Athletic Complex Sunday. Midfielder Kristin Karcsh, attacker Annie Howley and defenseman Katelyn Honeyford chipped in two goals each.
The Colonials only led once, 1-0, but erased a Richmond lead on four occasions. GW tied the game in the first half 2-2, after trailing by one, and again at 6-6 after falling behind by two. In the second period, GW evaporated yet another two goal deficit, knotting the game at 8-8, and then tied the contest once more, 12-12, deleting a Spiders' three goal advantage.
"We were down and we never stopped fighting," freshman midfielder Meghan Cratty said, with her right arm wrapped with an Ace bandage after falling during the game. "If we keep fighting so hard it will definitely work out for us."
The Colonials have six more conference games and must finish with one of the four best in-conference records to qualify for the A-10 tournament, to be held May 5-7 at Mount Vernon.
"We had more heart in this game than we had all year," Howley said. "I give (Richmond) a little respect. This was definitely the hardest team we've played. (I think) we'll see them again in the tournament and we'll show them how hard it is to beat a team twice."
The women have fallen four times to ranked opponents this year, including their loss to Richmond. They lost to Johns Hopkins University in late February, Towson University in March and the College of William and Mary (Va.) in March.
Ashley Friend (five goals), Mandy Friend (four) and Caroline McGuire (four) propelled Richmond's potent attack, which thwarted every GW comeback attempt. In the second half, the Spiders took a mere 43 seconds to regain the lead after GW tied the game at 8-8. On another occasion, Richmond scored just 46 seconds after the Colonials knotted the game at 12-12.
