BROCKPORT, N.Y. --- The SUNY Brockport Women's Lacrosse team hosted a pair of top 30 teams in the country this week. The first against #8 William Smith came on Wednesday and the second against Kenyon College, a team on the bubble of the top 25, on Friday. The Golden Eagles fell to both teams. Alayna Foos scored a team high three goals over the two games while Cassidy Burnash had two goals and two assists to lead the team with four points. Senior Erin Lant and first-year Hannah Parsons split time in net.
The Golden Eagles Wednesday game was a tough one, and they anticipated that. The #8 William Smith Herons came in hot to start things off, they went up by five goals and caused coach Glasser to make an early goalie change. Parsons went in for Lant and soon after notched her first of 11 saves on the day but it wasn't enough. A true David vs. Goliath story, Brockport and head coach Bryana Glasser looked to learn as much as they could from the game.
"I am a firm believer you either win or you learn, there is no losing in my world," Glasser said.
They fell 19-4 to the Herons, it was a running game clock with 2:30 to go in the second quarter. Despite that, Brockport still showed flashes and learning points in the game. Burnash scored two free position opportunities and set up Julia Quinlan in the hole for a goal. Parsons 11 saves notched her a .478 save percentage, the best by a Brockport goalie this season. and Journey Naab made her first appearance at the draw control x, swinging momentum in the second half.
As both Brockport and Kenyon prepared for their Friday game they knew snow was in the forecast. The game was moved up two hours but it seemed to appear that the snow had the same idea. They started the game despite the fact that players had to shovel the restraining lines with their sticks. Brockport came away with the first goal of the day, winning the draw control. Taylor Ford broke into the offensive zone and Alayna Foos found the back of the net with a wild shot from the top of the key to score for the Golden Eagles and ensure they didn't face a first quarter shut out again.
The Owls proceeded to pop off a five goal run and Erin Lant headed to the sideline for Hannah Parsons but Brockport looked more aware than they had just two days before, taking on a team that's one of the best in the country. The Golden Eagles were able to put away two more in the first quarter. The second with just over three minutes to go was Burnash finding Brooke Beetow for her first career goal as a Brockport Golden Eagle. The last goal for Brockport came from Foos as she lined up for a free position shot with seven seconds left in the quarter. There was no doubt she would bury it in the back of the net.
All of this occurred despite the snow continuing to fall at a constant rate. The ball was completely submerged in snow and on the field after a poor pass just the top of the orange winter ball was visible. Three minutes into the second quarter, after multiple slips and trips through the snow, the trainers called the game as the surface was not safe for the athletes and the game was canceled. Brockport still gained a lot playing only 18 minutes of lacrosse. The score when they stopped was 8-3.
The Golden Eagles next game will be on the road against the University of Rochester. That will be the end of their non-conference play which has been a difficult schedule, facing three teams that could have national rankings by the end of the season.
"you can't ask for better competition than we've seen...this is how you gain confidence, playing better teams and playing better kids is just making you better," coach Glasser said.
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