Troy, NY—Sage's women's lacrosse team hosted the Privateers of Maritime College on Thursday afternoon for the squad's 2013 Skyline Conference opener. The Gators racked up a 12-8 win for the team's first win of the 2013 season. With Thursday's win, the Gators improve to 1-4 overall and 1-0 in the Skyline Conference. Maritime falls to 1-4 overall and 0-2 in the league.
Prior to the contest, Sage and Maritime players joined in a moment of silence for the Seton Hill Women's Lacrosse team that suffered a fatal accident this past Saturday and sadly took the life of its head coach, her unborn child and the bus driver. A very touching tribute by both teams as they came together for Seton Hill during this very difficult time.
The Gators held an 8-6 lead at the half, before the Privateers tied the action at 8-8 with 20:56 left to play on a goal by freshman Caroline Reynolds (Oswego, NY/Oswego). Sage's rookie midfielder Jordan Conroy (Burnt Hills, NY/Burnt Hills Ballston Lake) broke the tie on a feed from sophomore Lindsay Millett (Ravena, NY/Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk) at 11:50 to put the Gators up, 9-8 and help the Gators hold on for the win.
Overall on the game, Sage's senior attacker Alexa Pajak (Earlton, NY/Academy of the Holy Names) netted eight points on seven goals with an assist. Pajak continues her high-scoring efforts as she leads the Gators with 19 goals and six assists for 25 points. She started the week ranked No. 72 in Division III with her 5.0 ppg average. She now has a 5.2 ppg average, while continuing to add to her active Sage career marks as well. Pajak leads the program with her 56 goals, 11 assists and 67 points.
Sophomore Emily Stevenson (Ithaca, NY/Newfield) added two goals as well for the Gators in the action.
Maritime's freshman midfielder Leanne Lavelle (New Windsor, NY/Washingtonville) paced the Privateers with her four goals, which elevates her team-leading total to 18 goals and 19 points. Sophomore midfielder Charlotte Acklin (Lewes, DE/West Broward) added a pair of goals for Maritime.
Senior goalie Courtney Reed (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville) collected the win in goal after making 11 saves. She now holds two Sage career goalkeeping records with two wins and 274 saves.
Maritime's rookie keeper Meghan Paczkowski (Oceanside, NY/Oceanside) suffered the loss after making 16 saves in the action.
The Skyline Conference victory for the Gators snaps a 22-game conference losing streak that spanned back to the 2010 season. Sage's last Skyline win in women's lacrosse was on April 6, 2010 when Sage defeated Bard College, 12-11 in double overtime.
The Gators return to action on March 23 travelling to defending league champions, Montclair State University for a 1 p.m. Skyline Conference match. Maritime is back in action also on March 23 hosting 2012 regular-season league champions, Farmingdale State at 1 p.m.
