April 6, 2005
The Wednesday National Notebook takes a look at college lacrosse being played beyond Division I.
Cortland Gets Revenge, Eyes Final Four
The Cortland women's lacrosse team has been sick the past two seasons. Not sick as in `way cool and off the hook,' as the kids like to say nowadays. But sick as in the feeling that they have lost one and two goal games time and time again, some even in overtime.
It has been a tough learning experience for the Red Dragons, especially the upperclassmen and coaches. But those days are over and behind them.
In 2005, the Red Dragons have reversed the tables and now they are the ones dishing out the medicine. Those one- and two-goal losses have turned into six-, nine- and 12-goal victories.
"Last season we were right on the very edge of being good. We weren't experienced enough to get over the hump," said Cortland coach Cindi Wetmore. "Our maturity level has risen this year."
Cortland (8-0) has been consistently rising in the IWLCA Division III Top 20 polls before making a huge jump two weeks ago from 12th to 4th after they defeated Hartwick, Rochester and then No. 4 The College of New Jersey in a five-day span. Tack on victories over Ithaca 16-2 and Hamilton 16-7 and the Red Dragons are third in the national poll and undefeated.
Last season the Red Dragons lost to Wesleyan 11-9, Hamilton 9-8 in overtime, Ithaca 6-4, TCNJ 11-5 and William Smith 8-7 in the regular season before bowing to Middlebury 10-5 in the second round of the NCAA Division III tournament. In 2003, Cortland lost to TCNJ 19-4, Hamilton 9-8 in double overtime, Ithaca 7-6 and William Smith 11-10.
Those are some very, very tough losses to accept.
"I wouldn't say this [year is all about] revenge," said Wetmore, who is in her eighth year at the helm.
But any way you look at it Cortland has exacted revenge or turned the tables on Wesleyan, Hamilton, Ithaca and the almighty TCNJ.
"When I took over the program here at Cortland, TCNJ was already on the schedule. So I decided to leave them on the schedule because I thought they were a good measuring stick," said Wetmore. "Each year we have been trying to close the gap."
On March 19 the gap was finally closed. After going 0-for-15 against TCNJ, the Red Dragons pulled off the 10-9 victory behind the scoring power of sophomore Ali Bourgal, who had six goals and two assists.
Bourgal currently leads the team in scoring through eight games with 32 goals and 11 assists. As a freshmen Bourgal was third on the team in scoring with 31 points (25g, 6a) and started 17 games. Couple Bourgal's scoring ability at the midfield position with the scoring prowess of sophomore attacker Jennifer Willis (24g, 8a) and you can see how dangerous this Red Dragons offense is. Cortland has a goals-per-game average of 14.25 through eight games in 2005. That average is over two goals higher then last season's mark of 12 goals per game.
As Cortland goes through the SUNYAC, which it has dominated over the years with a 39-0 mark since 2000, there is one remaining matter of nonconference revenge: Wiliam Smith. The Herons have won two one-goal games against the Dragons the last two years.
From there, it is onto the NCAA tournament where the Red Dragons will more than likely receive an automatic qualifying bid to represent the SUNYAC conference. Cortland has never been to a final four and the Red Dragons might need to go through, yet another demon from 2004 in Middlebury.
Line of the Week
18 saves
Alex Civalier - Junior Goalie
Nazareth College
The junior goalie posted a season-high 18 saves in Saturday's 10-9 victory over Division II rival C.W. Post. The No. 5 Pioneers held a commanding 52-32 shot edge but Civalier didn't flinch in between the pipes. Earlier in the week, Civalier made 12 saves against No. 3 Cortland as the No. 2 Golden Flyers won 14-9. Civalier has a .580 save percentage so far this season.
From the Sidelines
In Division III women's action, No. 3 Stonehill took down No. 1 Adelphi on Sunday with a convincing 13-5 victory. The Chieftains led 7-0 before Adelphi got on the board. Junior midfielder Erin Acone scored seven goals in the game for Stonehill. . . . . No. 6 Messiah men's team out shot Scranton on Saturday 51-14. . . . No. 4 Tufts won two games back-to-back by identical scores 9-2. . . . Colorado College women's team outshot Ithaca 25-4 in the second half of Sunday's game as the Tigers won 12-8. . . . Amherst's Ashley Harmeling scored five goals and passed out four assists as the No. 4 Jeffs beat conference rival and 12th-ranked Williams 13-8.
Wednesday National Notebook Archives
3-30-05: Bates Turns It Around
3-23-05: Limestone's Home Away From Home
3-16-05: Colorado State Exacts Revenge Over UCSB
3-09-05: Gannon Ready To Make Run
3-02-05: Young Generals Make Statement
