The UConn women’s lacrosse team has dropped three straight after a weekend loss to Delaware. (File photo/The Daily Campus)
Delaware scored the first five goals of Saturday’s women’s lacrosse game, and the UConn Huskies were never able to recover, losing their third consecutive game in the 17-9 defeat.
Due to the snow on the field, the game was moved inside the Shenkman Training Center at the last minute. The sudden change apparently had no effect on the Blue Hens (4-5), as they were up 5-0 before UConn (1-8) scored its first goal 10 minutes into the game.
Despite facing a seven-plus goal deficit at times, the Huskies continued to fight and kept it within striking distance for most of the game. The score got as close as 10-6 at one point in the second half, but then Delaware went on runs of four and three unanswered goals to put the Huskies away.
Down 17-7 with nine minutes left to play, UConn salvaged some pride and netted the game’s final two goals.
Four Delaware players recorded hat tricks in the win. Sarah Bedard scored five goals, Christine Long scored four and Caroline Farley and Claire D’Antonio each scored three. Mia DeRuggiero assisted on five Blue Hen goals.
In the loss, UConn’s Olivia Miles led the team with four goals. Senior captain Caitlin Leary and freshman Lia LaPrise each scored two, and LaPrise added four assists for a six-point day. Senior Dani Dunn scored the other UConn goal.
Perhaps more surprising than who did score for the Huskies is who didn’t score. Sophomore standout Sydney Watson recorded her first scoreless game of the season on Saturday, although she was still active on offense with two assists.
Junior goalkeeper Grace Beshlian made five saves and let up eight goals before being lifted in favor of sophomore Annie Carroll, who made four saves and let up nine goals.
Delaware outplayed UConn on offense, creating and taking more shots on net. They led the Huskies 26-18 in shots on goal. Otherwise, the numbers were pretty even. Both teams secured 18 ground balls, and UConn actually won more draw controls 15-13.
However, the only numbers that matter are the number of goals, and Delaware won that battle by a pretty wide margin.
Next up, UConn will face off with the Bryant Bulldogs at 7 p.m. on Tuesday under the lights of the Sherman Family Complex. It is the only night game scheduled for the Huskies this season.
Danny Barletta is a campus correspondent for The Daily Campus. He can be reached via email at daniel.barletta@uconn.edu.
