The Keene State Women’s Lacrosse Team left the Granite State over spring break to play two games in the Sunshine State. The team ultimately left Panama City Beach with two commanding wins, bringing its record closer to .500.
Playing at Publix Sports Park, Keene State defeated Hartwick College 9-7 in its first contest, then turned around and handled Ramapo College 9-5 two days later.
Against Hartwick, the Owls came out clicking. Senior midfielder Tess Brown was the engine of the offense from the opening whistle, finishing with four goals and two assists in a performance that dictated the game’s tempo from start to finish. Junior attack Hayden Smith added three goals, and sophomore attack Anna Maccarini chipped in two goals and two assists to give Keene State a well-rounded and difficult-to-contain attack.
The Owls built a 6-3 advantage by halftime and pushed it to 7-3 in the third quarter before Hartwick made things interesting down the stretch, but Keene State didn’t flinch. Sophomore goalkeeper Katelyn Nicotera was outstanding between the pipes, registering an eye-catching 14 saves—a number that proved to be the difference in a game where the Owls were outshot overall. Efficiency and poise carried Keene State across the line, 9-7.
The second game started closer. Keene State held a slim 4-2 edge at the half, and when Ramapo knotted the score at 5-5 late in the third quarter, it looked like the Owls would be tested. Instead, they answered immediately. Smith responded with a goal that swung the momentum right back, and from there, Keene State was in control.
Sophomore midfielder Lola Varricchione paced the offense with three goals, while first-year attack Helen Baxter delivered two clutch fourth-quarter scores to put the game away. Brown continued her standout stretch with a goal and three assists, proving just as valuable in a distributor’s role as she had been as a finisher in the opener. The Owls outscored Ramapo 3-0 in the fourth quarter and closed it out 9-5.
KSC returns north with a 2-0 record for the trip, a full roster’s worth of contributors and the confidence that comes from winning away from home. The sunshine is gone, but the momentum is very much in the Owls’ luggage.
The team will hit the road for its next game on Wednesday, April 1, against Worcester State before coming back to the nest for a home stretch.
Alex Vaccaro can be contacted at
