The Stevenson women’s lacrosse team suffered back-to-back losses in hard-fought battles against RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology) and the University of Rochester. Despite strong offensive performances, the Mustangs were unable to secure victories, falling 16-15 to the Tigers on Wednesday and 14-9 to the Yellow Jackets on Friday.
Narrow Defeat Against RIT
In a high-scoring showdown at Mustang Stadium, Stevenson (4-2) came up just short against RIT (4-1), losing 16-15. Kara Yarusso opened the scoring with a man-up goal, followed by Erin Steinberg, but RIT responded with four straight goals. Sophia Murray stopped the Tigers’ run late in the first, but RIT netted another goal to take a 5-3 lead.
The second quarter remained a back-and-forth battle, with Steinberg tallying back-to-back goals to tie the game. Yarusso and Murray each added a goal, but RIT edged ahead 8-7 at halftime. Stevenson briefly took the lead in the third with goals from Yarusso and Isabelle VanEmburgh, but the Tigers rallied again to hold a slim 12-11 advantage entering the fourth. Both teams scored four goals in the final frame, with Yarusso, VanEmburgh, Steinberg, and Kellyann Coccia finding the net for the Mustangs. Despite a last-minute push, RIT held on for the one-goal victory.
Yarusso led Stevenson with a seven-point performance (four goals, three assists) and five draw controls. Steinberg contributed five goals, while Coccia, VanEmburgh, and Murray each added two. Goalkeepers Regan Torbert and Anna Johnston combined for 12 saves in the effort.
Rochester’s Fourth-Quarter Surge Seals Stevenson’s Second Loss
Just two days later, the Mustangs (4-3) faced the University of Rochester (2-2) at the U.S. Lacrosse Headquarters, falling 14-9 after a dominant fourth quarter by the Yellow Jackets.
Steinberg opened the scoring before Yarusso and Ava Treakle combined for three straight goals, giving Stevenson a 4-1 lead. Rochester answered back, keeping the game tight at 6-5 by halftime. Both teams exchanged goals in the third quarter, with Olivia Galati netting two and Steinberg adding another as Stevenson clung to a 9-8 advantage.
However, the Yellow Jackets dominated the fourth quarter, shutting down the Mustangs’ offense while scoring six unanswered goals to take the 14-9 victory.
Yarusso made history in the contest, breaking Stevenson’s career draw control record with 244, surpassing the previous record of 236 held by Kaitlyn Kozlowski (Class of 2022). She finished with three goals, an assist, and eight draw controls.
Galati matched Yarusso’s offensive output with three goals and an assist, while Steinberg and Treakle added goals of their own. Johnston made six saves in goal, with Torbert adding one in relief.
Looking Ahead
Second year Ava Treakle, a key offensive piece for the Mustangs, returned on Wednesday in the game against RIT shared her thoughts on being back on the field.
“It’s been so great to be back but it is definitely a process. Some more kinks to work out but I’m so excited for the rest of the season.”
She also shared her thoughts about what the team’s mindset is going into these two games in Florida. “We need to win in Florida. That’s the mindset, to get back on our winning streak before conference play. We’re going to enjoy ourselves and play as hard as we can and come away with 2 big wins.”
Sophia Murray also shared her thoughts on what the last two games have felt after these last two games as they are set to play in Florida. “The team is definitely feeling these two losses, and I think it’s lit a fire under us moving forward. We know we’re capable of winning, and knowing we could have won the last two games if we had played better puts salt in the wound that much more, so we’re going to hit the ground running in Florida. We know how good we can be, and that’s what we’re striving for.”
The Mustangs now head to Panama City, Fla., for their spring break series, set to face Nazareth today. Opening draw is scheduled for 10 a.m. CST / 11 a.m. EST.
