The Leader
Sports

Women’s lacrosse wins first of the season

MICHELLE HALE
Assistant Sports Editor

Fredonia women’s lacrosse team started their season with a win. The No. 18 team, according to preseason polls by the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association, showed off their talent with a 13-11 win against Wooster College.

Despite the change of game location, the Blue Devils were able to adjust their play and come out with success. Wooster was supposed to travel to Fredonia, but due to ice and snow on University Stadium’s turf field, the game was unable to be played.

Along with the change of game location, this was the first time the Blue Devils set foot on turf this season. The weather has made it difficult for Fredonia to practice outdoors, and they have been practicing in the gym for the past six weeks.

“It was an adjustment playing outside since we have yet to practice on our turf, but overall we had a successful first game,” said junior defender Jessica Tuttle.

The senior returners led the Blue Devils in scoring. Forward Marissa Cussins scored five goals and six assists. Katie Kleine scored three goals and won five ground balls. Other Fredonia goals were scored by junior Katie Miller and sophomores Kristie Kleine (2), Emily Polizzi and Sam Owen.

“This game was great for us to try out our plays and make changes for our upcoming games,” said Tuttle. “We are extremely happy to return to Fredonia being 1-0.”

Fredonia outshot Wooster 26 to 17, and freshman goaltender Nicole Burrows was credited with four saves in her first collegiate game. The most crucial part to Wooster’s game play was their 18 turnovers compared to Fredonia’s 11. Ten of these turnovers were in the first half, and they led to Fredonia goals.

“We had some struggles throughout the game, but I’m happy with how they came together,” said head coach Amy Simon. “The most important thing for us now is what we can take from this game.”

This is Fredonia’s second time traveling to Wooster and winning. Last year they defeated Wooster 15-2. For head coach Amy Simon, she is returning home to Fredonia with her first-ever win as a head coach.

“It was an awesome feeling winning my first game as a coach,” said Simon. “I was definitely a little nervous and anxious before the game simply because it was the first one, but we have such great talent so there was no doubt in my mind that we could come out and win if we did what we needed to.”

Previously, Simon has been a key player to the Blue Devils roster, and this year she is taking on another role. From being the all-time leading scorer at Fredonia to a graduate assistant, her coaching career has only just begun.

“It feels great to start the season with a win,” said senior Katie Kleine. “It was nice that we were able to give her [Coach Simon] her first win of her coaching career.”

Simon was handed the game ball, which was signed by all members of the team for remembrance of her first win as a head coach.

The Blue Devils continue their non-conference season games with a trip to Mount Union this Saturday at 1 p.m.

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