OBERLIN, Ohio – The Capital University women's lacrosse team took the field for the first time in the 2023 season on Saturday afternoon, playing visitor to the Yeowomen of Oberlin College. A strong second half from the Comets led to a surge on the scoreboard, the final tally in favor of Capital 22-12.
Capital starts the season off on the right foot, 1-0.
Oberlin drops to 0-1.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Capital started out slow, losing the first two draw controls and giving up goals on the subsequent Oberlin possessions. The Comets finally got going on the third draw of the game which was won by current single-season record-holder
Grace Osborn who was also the one to deposit into the net on the offensive end for Cap's first goal of the fresh campaign. And with
Luci Kanowsky adding the first goal of her fifth season, the Comets pulled back even. Next, it was sophomore newcomer
Andi Henry scoring her first goal in a Capital uniform since transferring from Kent State in the offseasons. With Henry adding her piece, the Comets claimed their first lead of the afternoon. From then on out, the first half was a back-and-forth battle and Cap maintained a one-goal lead at the half.
Following an early equalizer in the third quarter from Oberlin, CU went on a hot streak and scored three straight thanks to Osborn and Kanowsky. Oberlin then got two back to end the quarter at 12-11. Kanowsky got things started in the fourth quarter, scoring goals six and seven within the first minute to push the Capital lead back to three at 14-11. Oberlin would add one more before the Comets went on an absolute tear, scoring eight straight to end the game. Everyone got in on the action in the final moments as Kanowsky added her eighth and ninth to set a new career-high, Osborn added two, Henry added two, and
Julia Foresi and
Dylan Smith added one each. When it was all said and done, CU had soared to a 22-12 win.
NEW FACES
Nine Capital players saw the field for the first time as Comets during the afternoon's contest as
Andi Henry,
Ele Shalawylo,
Emily Serafinchon,
Grace Wolfe,
Holly Stoner,
Leah Leno,
Leah Sanchez,
Meg Garcia, and
Riley Johnson all made their first appearance for the Purple and White.
THE NUMBERS
Luci Kanowsky took 13 shots with perfect accuracy, scoring a career-high nine goals. Additionally she went 3-for-4 on free position attempts and picked up a ground ball.
Last year's national leading scorer,
Grace Osborn hit the target on 11 of her 13 total shots, scoring seven goals with one assist for a total of eight points. She also went 2-for-4 on free position attempts, secured seven draw controls and grabbed one ground ball.
Capital newcomer
Andi Henry made her name known among the Purple and White with four goals off 4-of-4 shots on goal and two assists for a total of six points. The transfer from Kent State also went 1-for-1 on free position attempts, grabbed three ground balls, and got two draw controls.
Julia Foresi had herself a day on attack with one goal and a career-high six assists for a total of seven points. She also secured the most draw controls with 12 of the team's 23. Additionally Foresi went 1-for-2 on free position attempts, picked up two ground balls, and caused one turnover on the defensive end.
Dylan Smith was responsible for the remaining Capital goal, scoring on her only shot of the game.
On the defensive end,
Rylee Jarvis and
Meg Garcia each caused one turnover. Garcia made her first career start in the cage for the Comets, facing 16 shots and making eight saves on her way to a winning decision. She split time with fellow goalie
Emily Serafinchon who handled duties in the second half, facing 15 shots and making 11 saves for a 73% save percentage.
THE OPPONENT
Goals - Lauren Mills (4)
Assists - Ellie Jensen (2)
Points - Lauren Mills (4)
Ground Balls - Katie McMorris/Abbie Patchen (5)
Caused Turnovers - Abbie Patchen (3)
Draw Controls - Kaela Wilson (5)
UP NEXT
The Comets will square off with Centre College next Saturday, February 25 in Danville, Kentucky. That game is set to start at 1:00 p.m.
