Purchase, NY—Sage's women's lacrosse team travelled to Purchase College for a Skyline Conference match on Saturday afternoon. The Gators tallied an 8-7 win over the Panthers to continue the record setting performances on the 2013 season. The victory puts Sage at 4-7 overall and 3-3 in the Skyline Conference, setting new high-water marks for most wins overall and in the conference in a season. Purchase drops to 0-8 overall and 0-6 in the Skyline Conference.
The two teams were knotted at 5-5 at the break before the Gators jumped out to an 8-5 lead. Sophomore midfielder Emily Stevenson (Ithaca, NY/Newfield) connected for back-to-back goals at 19:05 and 15:47 to put Sage up 7-5. Sage's senior attacker Alexa Pajak (Earlton, NY/Academy of the Holy Names) tallied a goal at 15:15 to give the Gators an 8-5 lead. Her goal would prove to be the game-winner as Purchase's Samantha Rich connected for two second half goals to pull the Panthers within one goal, 8-7.
Sage's defense held on for the win and was aided by the play of sophomore goalie Serena Heard (Malta, NY/Ballston Spa). After making her first career start on Friday night, Heard was able to make six saves in the action and is now 1-1 in goal for the Gators.
For the game, Pajak finished with five goals and an assist. The Gators' top scorer this season, she has 41 goals and 11 assists for 52 points. She has already surpassed her season total from a year ago when she had 37 goals and five assists for 42 points to lead the team. She holds all of Sage's career scoring marks as she has 78 goals, 16 assists and 94 points, all active career bests for the young Gator program. Her feat is even more amazing as she has played in just 22 career games at Sage.
Stevenson netted two goals and an assist in the action and now has nine goals and three assists for 12 points, while sophomore Lindsay Millett (Ravena, NY/Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk) added a goal and three assists, elevating her season tally to three goals and eight assists for 11 points, which is fourth highest on the squad.
