Sports Editor
It’s pretty well-known that the women’s lacrosse team is a force to be reckoned with, and has been for many years. You might have seen them walking around with those sweet customized backpacks, sticks jutting out of the top.
Over the last few years, the Dips have dominated the Centennial Conference, the region, heck even most of Division III. I think at this point, it’s safe to say that the F&M women’s lacrosse team has established a dynasty in the domain of women’s lacrosse. The Diplomats are currently ranked seventh in national polls, and they aren’t quite satisfied with that. They’ve made the NCAA tournament for the last six years. They’ve won the national championship twice. Yes, I mean the NCAA Division III National Championship; in both 2007 and 2009, and in 2008, they lost against Hamilton College in the championship.
This year, the Dips are looking to do more damage and to extend their dynasty — so far, so good. F&M is 12-2, 7-0 in the Centennial Conference. While they aren’t undefeated, let’s cut the Lady Dips some slack, because those two losses came from the currently ranked numbers one and two in the country, Salisbury College and Cortland State College, respectively. Currently on a six game win streak, F&M will head into the Centennial Conference Playoffs beginning on April 25, followed by the NCAA Tournament in early May.
The Dips have a powerful and explosive offense, led by veterans Cat Serpe ’12, Erin Dunne ’12, and Lauren Ehrhardt ’12. Also in the mix, and ready to lead the team next year are Maggie Mae Shields ’13 and Lauren Selawski ’13. On defense, the Diplomats have been nearly impenetrable behind strong efforts from Anne Brockmeyer ’12, and sophomore goalkeepers Kelsey Hoffman ’14 and Mary Mitchell ’14.
On Saturday, F&M traveled to Haverford College in a Centennial Conference match-up, from which the Diplomats emerged victorious. The Dips dominated in nearly ever aspect of the game, and never trailed once as they trounced the Fords 18-5. Selawski opened the scoring with a pass from Serpe, followed by back-to-back goals by Dunne, as she scored twice in 24 seconds, a remarkable accomplishment. Later in the game, everyone got in on the action as eight Diplomats found the back of the net. The Dips played extremely efficiently, punishing the Fords’ defense by hammering in an impressive 34 shots on goal, and scoring on more than half of their attempts.
Defensively, F&M held Haverford to just 15 total shots, and kept their turnovers to a minimum.
Dunne led all scorers with five goals, followed by Selawski and Shields with three apiece. Serpe had a very balanced and impressive performance, scoring twice and dishing out a game high of four assists, while Ehrhardt contributed two goals of her own.
F&M has two more games remaining in its regular season contention, and the team will go into the playoffs confident and prepared. Their last home game of the regular season will be next Saturday, April 21 against Dickinson College at 1 o’clock.
NOTE: Photography from home game against Swarthmore on 04/07/12