After back to back wins scoring over 20 goals and two players being named the Conference of New England’s player of the week, it’s safe to say Suffolk lacrosse is outperforming expectations.
After going 7-10 in their inaugural season the lacrosse team is off to a hot start in their second season. At the midway point of the season the Rams are 5-6 and are just outside of a playoff spot.
Being a new program gives the Rams some advantages.
“Being able to return most of our starting roster allowed us to pick up where we left off and continue to develop our attacking systems and refine a cohesive defensive unit,” said head coach Carolynn Keal.
The team has high aspirations and wants to build off the success of last season, including eyeing the first playoff appearance in program history.
Suffolk has gotten major contributions on both the offensive and and defensive side of the ball with attacker Bridget O’Leary and Charlotte Guziejka winning CNE player of the week respectively.
“I think that being part of a team where we all try to work off of each other’s momentum is what helps in making each individual successful,” said O’Leary about her two six goal performances. “All of my teammates helped me to get on that scoring streak, whether it be hitting me at the right moment on a cut, or setting screens.”
For the Rams their offense starts on defense, as they are second in the conference in forcing turnovers.
“We have had some amazing additions to our defensive unit this year, Penelope Lawlor and Taylor Joynt who have stepped into major roles in their first season with us,” said Keal on the defensive success. “They are great communicators and work well with our returns to hop into double teams and press out with tenacity to cause turnovers.”
Both O’Leary and Julia Dickinson have been prolific in turning these extra opportunities into goals. Dickinson is fourth in the conference in goals per game and leads the team in points per game
“I think a lot of the success I’ve had this season comes from the people around me and how well we work together on offense,” said Dickinson. “My teammates do a great job of creating the opportunities that allow me to score, and I’ve been able to take advantage of that.”
The Rams will look to build off their early season momentum after back to back 20-goal wins against Fitchburg State University and Gordon College. Getting such big wins early showed the team how good they could be when they played to their full potential.
Suffolk is enduring their first losing streak of the season. After dropping three straight conference games against Endicott College, Johnson and Wales University and the University of New England.
Experience is a big difference from last year as the team builds chemistry.
“Last year being the first year of the program we were still figuring things out, but this season it feels like everything has really started to come together,” said Dickinson. “We have more college level experience and have continued to build on our team culture, and that’s made a big difference in our success.”
Suffolk lacrosse looks to make their first playoff appearance as the playoff race comes to a head down the stretch. The Rams have six games left, with five of them being conference opponents.
