ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Roberts Wesleyan University women's lacrosse team opened the home portion of its 2024 season with its third game against a ranked opponent in eight days.
The Redhawks, who opened the season on the road against No. 6 Adelphi and No. 1 Pace, trailed No. 16 Saint Anselm 8-5 entering the fourth quarter but scored three straight goals to tie the game with 9:03 to play. The Hawks then scored the next two goals to secure a 10-8 non-conference victory.
Freshman Alison Dioguardi started the comeback with a free-position goal with 13:02 remaining, senior captain Emma Blumenstock added an unassisted goal with 11:11 left and graduate student Lucy Rugaber converted a feed from sophomore Ella Dossier to even the game for the Redhawks (0-3).
"I think that our mental growth has been huge in the first three games," Roberts coach Kristin Paolini said. "Playing these top-ranked opponents shows that we are capable of playing at a higher level."
Rugaber and Annie Mulhall each scored twice for Roberts while Kadie Tierney and Blumenstock both added a goal and an assist. Junior Tannah O'Neill-Blake also scored and Dossier finished with three assists. Junior Shawna Lesmerises made seven saves.
"It's good moving forward to know that we can come back," Blumenstock said. "We just have to figure out how to finish a game."
Senior Sophia Podszebka continued to be a force in the draw circle with 11 draw controls and a team-high four ground balls.
Podszebka established a program record for draw controls in Tuesday's loss to Pace, surpassing the previous mark of 250 held by Jessica Giancursio. Podszebka now has 274 career draw controls.
"Having played with Jess my freshman year and seeing her compete and do so well on the dot and in the circle, it means a lot to acknowledge her and show the team that we can win the draw," Podszebka said. "For me, winning the draw is a team win and not so much an individual win because it helps our team out so much. That's how we get possessions and that's how we get goals, that's how we get our offense going and that's how we get our team going and it is an honor just to have the opportunity."
Paolini credited Podszebka's success to her work ethic and desire to continue to improve.
"Soph is unbeatable on the draw circle, specifically on the dot because she adjusts to each time and each player when she is about to take it," Paolini said. "She is always adjusting and she gives us a sense of calm, so we can be like 'All right, it's draw time and she's got it, let's go put it in the back of the net for her.' Her consistency is huge as is her own confidence, she is always learning about the draw."
The Redhawks host Walsh University at noon on Saturday, March 2.