After notching its first win since March 14 on Monday, the Columbia lacrosse team (4-10, 0-7 Ivy) hopes for similar success against Bucknell (6-7, 1-5 Patriot League). The Lions, who ended a devastating eight-game skid with an 11-7 victory over the University of California, Berkeley, will close their 2008 campaign by hosting the Bison. They are likely to enter Wednesday’s matchup with more confidence and momentum than they possessed during their losing streak.
“That day ... we felt great,” freshman midfielder Lizzie Lee said of the Monday game against Berkeley. “Playing together and winning together is always a really great feeling.”
Teamwork is certainly an important element of lacrosse, but key individuals have also made their mark on the Lions in 2008. While Marisa Marcellino made headlines earlier this season—the senior midfielder has scored more points throughout her collegiate career than any other Columbia lacrosse player—it is junior attacker Holly Glynn who has made a name for herself down the stretch. She leads the Light Blue with 41 goals and 51 points this year, both Columbia single-season records. Meanwhile, Marcellino has contributed a solid 17 goals and a team-high 18 assists.
The Lions will need to be at their best against Bucknell, a team coming off a one-goal, double-overtime loss to conference rival Lehigh. The Bison will not only look to finish their season on Wednesday with an even overall record but will also want to avenge that defeat. In particular, sophomore attacker Carol Donohue poses a threat to the Light Blue. She tallied 13 points at Wagner on April 15, a feat that earned her Patriot League Women’s Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week honors and gave her Bucknell single-game records in points and assists (8) as well as Bucknell single-season records in these categories. She leads the Bison with 34 goals, 34 assists, and 68 points on the year.
Despite the lingering euphoria from Monday’s win, Columbia says it will be ready for the challenges that Bucknell presents.
“We can’t underestimate them,” Lee said. “We have to ride the high ... but we have to take each game one step at a time.”