Photo courtesy of gobonnies.com
BY: AIDAN SHINNERS; STAFF WRITER
The St. Bonaventure University women’s lacrosse team has started the season 1-1 following a back-and-forth loss to Colgate University and a 12-2 win over Long Island University.
The season started with a surprising move, seeing former goalkeeper Kaitlyn Hicks transfer to the University of Pittsburgh after playing all of fall ball in net for the Bonnies.
“Starting the season without Kaitlyn [Hicks] was something we were not really expecting,” said senior attacker Brooke Piper. “We found out she was interested in transferring at the end of last semester and had [winter] break to prepare ourselves.”
Bonaventure opened the game against Colgate with freshman Meredith Kearns in goal. She was removed 40 minutes in, allowing 11 goals and picking up only one save on 12 shots.
Playing the remaining 18 minutes was sophomore Judy Mahoney, who only appeared in one game last season. Mahoney allowed three goals, picking up as many saves on six shots faced. Mahoney would go on to start the game against Long Island, allowing just two goals on nine shots. Mahoney’s performance earned her Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Mahoney said the team needs to carry their momentum from the win over the remainder of the season.
“We’re going to continue to build on all the things we did well the past two games and learn from our mistakes,” Mahoney said. “After our last game our team knows what we’re capable of, it’s just going to be a matter of upholding this high standard that we have for ourselves and I’m confident that our team can do that.”
Senior attacker Rylee Gonzalez said that the extra work put in by both Mahoney and Kearns has paid off and given the team more confidence moving forward.
“Our goalies have done an incredible job stepping up, and our team is really proud of them,” Gonzalez said. “They have put in extra work to prepare for games, and their performances have been huge for us defensively.”
When Hicks transferred, Mahoney knew she still needed to earn her role on the team and that the starting position wasn’t going to be handed to her.
“Getting any starting role is difficult. There’s a lot of work that goes into it, on and off the field,” Mahoney said. “I knew that when Hicks transferred that I still needed to earn my spot and that nothing was going to be handed to me.”
Mahoney said that Hicks helped her to prepare for the heavier workload that comes with becoming the starting goalkeeper and learned a lot from the former starter.
“It wasn’t easy, and it took time and extra reps, and I was even getting advice from Hicks herself,” Mahoney said. “Now that I’m here, I’m super grateful but I know I can’t get complacent, I’ve got to continue to earn my spot each day.”
For Mahoney, the season just comes down to making the most out of every opportunity, whether it be as the starter, or in any other role.
“What’s important here is just what you make of the opportunity,” Mahoney said. “It can only be as difficult as you allow it to be.”
