April 21, 2008

By Russell Blair The Daily Campus

April 21, 2008

Storrs, CT (UWIRE) -- Emotions ran high this weekend at the Sherman Family Sports Complex, as the lacrosse team hoped to send seniors Leah Giffin, Meghan Nanfeldt, Robyn Pastuch and Emily Van Buitenen off with a win in their last game in Storrs.

Despite their best efforts, UConn (1-15) fell Friday California 16-13 and Sunday No. 9 Georgetown 16-7.

Sunday's contest against the Hoyas (10-5, 4-2 Big East) would be the last of the year for the Huskies after a tumultuous season. Pre-game festivities honored the team's four seniors and each UConn player wore a commemorative ribbon to honor the day.

"Today was all about the seniors," said junior Katy Ryan. "And while we didn't win we can leave the field being proud."

UConn struggled early on against the Hoyas, getting outshot 19-9, and outscored 6-1 in the first half.

However UConn's offense caught fire, going on a 5-2 run to start the second half bringing the game within two off goals from Ryan, Katie Devaney, and Kim McGinty.

"We need everyone to score," Cerosimo said. "Teams are starting to focus in on our best players, and people are standing there on offense, or going for the 1-v-1 instead of trying to create something new."

Even with UConn's offense coming to life in the second half, something lacking all season, other mistakes kept the Huskies from being victorious.

Momentum shifted when sophomore goalie Jenna Moulton committed a foul, giving Georgetown an empty net, free position opportunity which they cashed in on, to build a comfortable five goal lead with 15 minutes to play.

The Hoyas offense continued to pressure the Huskies, finishing out the second half with a 8-1 run, in part due to great goalkeeping by Caitlin Formby who collected eight saves, but also due to a struggling Husky defense that looked tired and unable to keep up with the aggressive play of Georgetown.

The Huskies were held scoreless for 18 minutes in the second half until Ryan scored with 1:07 remaining brought the score to 16-7, a lead the Hoyas would maintain for the final minute of the game.

Friday's contest started with the same woes the Huskies (1-15, 0-5 Big East) had experienced all season, as Cal (9-5) fired off four quick tallies before UConn could respond. Cersosimo though was not discouraged by UConn's slow start. "They just had trouble getting momentum going early," Cersosimo said. "Once they found the back of the net on offense they calmed down. I knew from the moment the game started that it was going to go down to the wire."

While UConn's offense was able to get going, heading into halftime with a 10-9 lead, seven of the Huskies' 10 first-half goals were unassisted or coming off free position shots, exposing the Huskies' lack of passes and team oriented offense.

"They weren't cutting opposite the ball," Cersosimo said. "They need to be looking in for passes when they rush the net instead of just going for the 1v1."

The Huskies' second half offense once again faltered, as the team was unable to compete with Cal in the final 30 minutes, getting outscored 7-3 and losing by a final score of 16-13.

Another key aspect of the game the Huskies struggled with was draw controls, getting outdrawn 22-9 against the Bears.

"They [Cal] are very good at fast-break offense," Cersosimo said. "When they win the draw they have the ball and we don't, they have the momentum, and they can take time off the clock."

Despite posting a highly disappinting 1-15 record this season, the players and coach try to remain optimistic and look towards the future.

One UConn player who will look forward to next season is junior midfielder Ryan who led the Huskies in both draw controls and goals this season with 35 each.

"Next year is a new year," said Ryan. "We grew a lot this season and have a lot to build off of, a new year means a new season, and we have a lot to look forward to."

Cersosimo echoed those sentiments.

"It's hard to take a lot of positives away from a 1-15 season, but we are returning the same core offensive players next year, and they developed a lot of chemistry this season, and we hope to build on that," Cersosimo said.

(C) 2008 The Daily Campus via UWIRE