by Tyler Roaix
Coming off of a season opener that saw Central Connecticuts’s lacrosse team struggle offensively, the Blue Devils hoped to turn it around with a pair of road games this past week. However, the offensive woes continued, as the team combined for just eight goals in the two contests.
Central began the week off with a trip to West Point, NY to take on Army. It was a struggle for the Blue Devils from start to finish, falling 21-4. The mark was a new record for Army’s program, besting their previous feat of 20. Their 15 first-half goals were also a program record.
It was another rough start for Central, as Army opened up scoring the first 11 goals of the game. It wasn’t until sophomore Morgan Sinton netted her second goal of the year with 9:16 left in the first half to finally put the Blue Devils on the board. But the struggles continued with the Blue Devils being shut out the rest of the first half, going into the break down 15-1.
Central added three goals in the second half, including another from Sinton, pushing her total to three early in the season. Classmate Megan Szawlowski also netted a goal, giving her four on the year and an early team-high.
Freshman Meaghan Allard got her first career start in goal, tallying four saves on 14 shots, in just 20 minutes of play.
It wouldn’t get much better for the Blue Devils. They traveled to New Hampshire Saturday to battle the Wildcats, but were met with another uphill challenge. Central was only able to muster four goals again, falling 13-4.
Defensively, Central played its strongest game thus far. They allowed just six goals in the first half, allowing themselves to stay in the contest for much of the game.
Central was within three goals, 7-4, until 17:45 left in the second half. From there on out, the Wildcats scored the final six goals of the game to put it away and hand the Blue Devils their third loss in a row.
Sinton continued her hot start to the season, adding another goal and an assist as one of the few bright spots of the Central offense.
Junior Jackie Branthover and Allard again each saw a half in goal, like the St. Joseph’s game. Branthover started the game, notching eight saves on 14 shots faced in the first half. Allard was able to stop three of the 10 shots she faced in the second half.
Very little has come together so far this year for the team. In just three games, they have been outscored 55-16. They were only able to generate 10 shots in the loss to UNH, their lowest total of the year thus far.
The two losses drop Central to 0-3 early in the 2018 campaign. The Blue Devils have over a week off until their next game. They’ll play Hartford on March 6 in their home opener.