Monumental win for women's lacrosse secures national ranking
The women’s lacrosse team had a rough start to their season by opening with a loss, but the team has been dominant ever since. Between Mar. 1 and April 1, the Mules have won seven games in a row and have outscored their opponents 111 to 37.
After losing to Mid Atlantic Conference powerhouse Messiah College, Muhlenberg gained two easy wins. They beat a mediocre Arcadia team 20 to 5 and completely obliterated Emmanuel 16 to 0 over spring break.
The Mules had two unexpected weeks off in the middle of March due to the snow storm, but that did not stop their momentum. The team came out of their hiatus looking to score against Buffalo State. Buffalo seemed to gain the upper hand early in the game, but the Mules came back with four goals in a row. Muhlenberg couldn’t be stopped and ended the game on top, 16 to 10.
Their first Centennial Conference opponent, Bryn Mawr, was also the home opener. The Mules utterly controlled the game both offensively and defensively, claiming their first conference win in a 19 to 0 shutout.
Muhlenberg’s winning streak continued through beating both Lebanon Valley College (12 to 9) and Drew University (20 to 6). Their closest win so far this season was against conference opponent Gettysburg College.
The entire time the teams remained within one point of each other, as neither could take full control of the game. Both defenses played phenomenal games, resulting in a lower-scoring game. Fortunately, for the Mules, Jordy Bonvini ’18 scored the fourth goal to put Muhlenberg up 4 to 3 over Gettysburg by the end of the first half. Bonvini scored the unassisted goal after about a 16 minute scoring drought. Her goal turned out to be the difference in the game that gave the Mules their victory.
Both teams were still neck and neck throughout the second half, scoring four goals each. The teams exchanged turns scoring goals until Muhlenberg added three straight points to the scoreboard. Bonvini scored her fourth goal of the game, again unassisted, with less than fifteen minutes remaining. Two minutes later, teammate Emma Carmody ’19 gave the Mules their first lead in the second half on a free position shot after a penalty. Stephanie D’Ascoli ’17 scored the last goal for Muhlenberg with about eight minutes left in the game. The Mules’ defense was able to hold Gettysburg to just one goal with the remaining time, sealing the 8 to 7 victory.
The Mules' victory was the first time any Muhlenberg sports team had defeated a #1 nationally ranked team since 1995, when the men’s basketball team defeated Franklin and Marshall. After the game, the Mules were also honored with the program’s first national ranking, as they landed the #20 spot in the DIII Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association poll.
Men's Lacrosse
Muhlenberg has not played many Centennial Conference games yet, but six out of the seven remaining games are against conference opponents. So if the Mules are looking to qualify for the playoffs this year, they need to keep up their high level of play to continue to add wins to their record.
The last four seasons for the men’s lacrosse team have not been successful, to say the least. The best record in the last four seasons was in 2013 when the team won six games. Since then, the men have not won more than three games in a season (not including this season). Muhlenberg has also either been ranked last or second to last in the Centennial Conference between the years of 2013 through 2016.
Currently the Mules are ranked second to last in the conference and only have two wins this season, both against teams that are worse than them. Muhlenberg just can’t win the games that really count, losing the games by pretty large margins. Both the offense and defense are at fault for their lack of success, as the defense can’t hold off attacks and the offense can’t seem to score in times of need or not.
Centennial Conference opponent Gettysburg College delivered the Mules’ latest loss last weekend.
Gettysburg absolutely dominated and controlled the game in every aspect possible. Gettysburg led in shots (43 to 36) shots on goal (30 to 24), saves (18 to 13), ground balls (35 to 26), and they had seven fewer turnovers than Muhlenberg.
Muhlenberg was in trouble right from the start of the first quarter. Gettysburg went on a scoring rampage with six points as compared to Muhlenberg’s one. This set the tone for the rest of the game, as the Mules didn’t score more than two goals per quarter.
The Mules had five teammates contribute to their six total goals, displaying some talent and team effort, but the team continues to struggle as years before.
Muhlenberg’s schedule has six more games yet to be played, all of which will determine Centennial Conference Playoff contention. The men’s team will have to do a complete 180 if they will have any chance to advance beyond the regular season.