Women's lacrosse wins fifth game in a row

The University of Richmond's women's lacrosse team made it 18 days since their last loss, beating the George Washington University Colonials 13-6 at the E. Claiborne Robins Stadium Sunday. The win was the team's fifth in a row and improved their perfect Atlantic 10 conference record to 4-0.

The Colonials came into the game focused on keeping Richmond's points-leader, Emily Doyle, off the stats sheet, leaving midfielder Gabbi Hull on her the entire game. GW had limited success, holding the Spiders' star to only two goals and keeping her from getting an assist. With Doyle drawing so much defensive attention, Richmond midfielder Anna Jeszeck shined. She scored a career-high four goals and got an assist on the game's opening goal.

"I think being patient was the key to our attack today," Jeszeck said. "Having Emily Doyle, one of our best attackers, face-guarded the whole game, we kind of had to talk things out and all be on the same page."

Jeszeck hit a cutting Bailey Zerr with a pass in front of the net to give Richmond the lead just a minute and a half into the game. Sophomore Brooke Wilson bounced a shot past the GW goalie to put the Spiders up by two before the Colonials would go on a three-goal run to take their only lead of the game. Richmond answered with a run of its own, scoring five unanswered goals to finish out the half.

Jeszeck and GW midfielder Michaela Lynch traded the first four goals of the second half, with Jeszeck scoring first on a free-position shot and again on a shot that bounced just over the goal line. Lynch, not to be outdone, answered Jeszeck's free-position goal with a bounce shot after spinning to create space and scored on a second bounce shot into the top of the net minutes later.

Richmond sealed the game down the stretch with four unanswered goals, two from senior Hayley Ross, Jeszeck's fourth goal and Doyle's second goal of the game and 50th of her career. All three players, as well as attacker Charlett Stevenson, who scored Richmond's ninth goal of the game, have scored over 20 goals this season.

The Spiders will next host nationally ranked University of Massachusetts 4:30 p.m. Saturday for sole possession of first place in the A-10, as both teams enter the contest with perfect conference records. With only two games left for both teams after Saturday, the game could prove crucial for seeding in the conference playoffs, hosted by Richmond in the Robins Stadium over the first weekend in May.

"This Saturday, obviously we want to win, we want to come out on top," Jeszeck said. "We're going to work hard all week and whatever happens happens. Our plan is to win, go 5-0 and get that number one seed at the end of all conference play. But, we want to get to the [conference finals] and finish it there."

Contact staff writer Jeremy Day at jeremy.day@richmond.edu