Saturday, April 26, William and Mary women’s lacrosse (6-10, 2-6 CAA) defeated Campbell (3-12, 1-7 CAA) 19-16 in its final game of the season at Martin Family Stadium in Williamsburg, Va.
The Tribe started strong in the first quarter, with senior midfielder Paige Gilbert and senior attacker Ainsley Huizenga taking over the game. Gilbert recorded two goals and an assist in the first quarter alone, and Huizenga recorded a goal and a key draw control that would lead to a goal by junior midfielder Kate Draddy that would put the Tribe up 5-2 at the end of the period.
Draddy then quickly scored another goal in the second quarter to make the score 6-2. The Camels fought hard to come back, soon scoring two quick goals and forcing a William and Mary timeout.
The Tribe got back in stride coming out of the timeout. Gilbert immediately scored with an assist from Draddy. It was the seniors Gilbert and Huizenga who led William and Mary to an 8-4 lead at the half, with a late goal by Huizenga, who was putting heavy shot pressure on Campbell junior goalie Alana Lepore for the entire half.
Campbell came out of the halftime break with a new energy that the Tribe struggled to deal with. The Camels scored five goals to William and Mary’s one in the early stages of the third quarter, which tied the game up at nine apiece.
The Tribe was desperate to stop the Camels’ offense, and it managed to hold its ground after the five-goal run for a while, before calling a timeout. Then, senior attacker Justyce Barber scored her first goal of the season coming out of the timeout, and it could not have come at a better time for the Tribe.
Campbell, once again, was quick to rally, scoring two back-to-back goals to take the lead from the Tribe.
Draddy finished the third quarter strong, scoring two rapid goals, with the first assisted by Gilbert. The senior duo was all over the offensive side of the field and proved to be a major problem for the Campbell defense. The Tribe was up 12-11 at the end of the third.
The fourth quarter began with a Campbell goal, slotted by graduate student midfielder Sam Bischoff. The William and Mary seniors were determined to win the last game of their careers, however, and the Tribe controlled the remainder of the fourth quarter. Gilbert took the lead back with a goal, then got another draw control to give possession back to the Tribe. Sophomore midfielder Finley Hoffman then scored on a free-position shot after a Campbell foul.
Gilbert recorded another draw control after, which turned into another goal by Huizenga, putting the Tribe up 15-12 with 12 minutes to go. Campbell scored again, but Gilbert stopped another Campbell run from happening by getting a draw control.
Tribe senior attacker Anna Dawson then scored on a free-position shot, after which Campbell responded with a goal. It was back and forth throughout the fourth, but one constant was Gilbert’s dominant draw controls. She was essential in getting the edge over Campbell when the Tribe was only up by one goal in the middle of the fourth.
Gilbert would win another after the Campbell goal. Draddy then struck the field, hitting two key back-to-back free position goals, to put the Tribe up 18-15. Draddy had a Tribe game high of six goals on the day.
Barber scored a huge goal with three minutes remaining, coming off an assist from none other than Gilbert. The Camels scored again with two minutes left, but it was too late.
The Tribe won the game 19-16. Gilbert recorded four goals, three assists and eight draw controls to lead the Tribe to victory in an exciting final game for the senior class.
