ODU Women's Lacrosse Falls to VCU, 11-9, in its Home Opener

By Harry Minium

NORFOLK, Va. – The Old Dominion women's lacrosse team was at times dominant in its home opener against VCU Wednesday at the L.R. Hill Sports Complex.

The Monarchs swept to a 7-3 lead late in the first half and almost made it 8-3.

But ODU then surrendered seven consecutive goals and fell to the Rams, 11-9.

After falling behind 10-7, the Monarchs (0-2) did not quit. They rallied, getting goals from Ali Mills and Caroline Shaefer to pull within one, 10-9, with five minutes left.

VCU then put the game away on a Mia George goal with 2:54 left.

Coach Heather Holt said it's a game ODU likely would have won if the team played with more confidence.

"I think we came out flat at halftime," Holt said.

"Getting up in a game is hard for our team because we're thinking about not losing rather than winning. We don't put the pedal down like we should.

"We are trying to learn how to get over that hump and learn to take the game rather than protect it. But it's really hard things for our young kids, especially a team that hasn't won much in the past.

"It's kind of like golf. When you're thinking about not putting the ball into the water, it goes into the water.

"It's going to take us time."

Over the last five seasons, the Monarchs changed leagues twice – moving from the Atlantic Sun to the Big East and finally to the American Athletic Conference – and each move was a step up competitively.

"Our recruiting is starting to catch up but we're in a tough place with that now," Holt said. "We have a lot of freshmen who are playing. We're a young team.

"Our players need to learn how to win. We should have been able to have held on in a game like this."

Lilly Siskind, a senior from West Chester, Pennsylvania, led ODU with four goals and an assist. Mills added two goals and Molly May, Corrinne Stratton and Shaefer each had a goal.

Moira Olexa had an assist, as did May and Stratton.

Goalkeeper Jenna Peccia, a sophomore from Canton, Massachusetts, had 11 saves.

Holt challenged her team in the locker room after the game to start demanding accountability from their teammates.

"They responded well," she said. "They started calling each other out. That's something we've been working on, holding everyone accountable.

"In the past when someone has made a mistake, we've responded with rah rah stuff, like, 'you've got this.'

"But we're getting to the point where we're able to call each other out by names and no one takes it personally.

"I've told them it's not personal. It's about winning."

ODU plays again Saturday when the Monarchs host Radford at the L.R. Hill Sports Complex at noon.