Following a two-game sweep of the Butler Bulldogs, the Georgetown women’s lacrosse team lost its winning streak, losing consecutively to the University of Connecticut Huskies 15-14 in overtime April 23 and 16-12 April 25. 

These two games marked the end of the regular season; the Hoyas will now enter the Big East Tournament as the third overall seed.

In the first of two games, Georgetown (6-9, 5-5 Big East) erupted for an early 4-0 lead only seven minutes into the game. Just when the game appeared to be getting out of hand for the Huskies (11-5, 7-3 Big East), the Huskies scored four consecutive goals of their own, evening the score at 4-4. 

Back-to-back goals from graduate attacker Michaela Bruno and first-year attacker Katie Goldsmith within just 40 seconds gave the Hoyas a 6-4 lead with six minutes left in the half. Ramping up its offensive power, UConn made a 3-1 run to tie the score 7-7 at halftime. 

The second half was a complete turnaround from the first, with the Huskies scoring four goals in a row to create an 11-7 lead. Nevertheless, Georgetown showed resilience, answering with three consecutive goals. Bruno scored her third goal of the game, giving her a hat trick.

The two teams traded goals for nearly 14 minutes, with neither side able to pull definitively ahead. Down 14-13 with 55 seconds remaining in the game, a clutch goal from Hoya junior midfielder Annabelle Albert evened the score at 14-14 at the end of regulation. The goal was Albert’s third of the game, also giving her a hat trick.

In the overtime period, both defenses rose to the occasion, forcing two turnovers each. With just 12 seconds remaining in the first overtime, Huskies midfielder Kyra Place successfully snuck past the Georgetown defense to score the golden goal, securing UConn’s victory in the first game. 

Ultimately, the Hoyas should be proud of the game and their strong efforts in the last few minutes, according to Head Coach Ricky Fried. 

“We came out strong but could not sustain our play,” Fried said in a phone interview with The Hoya. “I am disappointed in our consistency but am proud of the way we fought for the last 15 minutes of the game.”

Following a day off, the two teams resumed their series on the afternoon of April 25. The Hoyas started off strong once again, creating a 2-0 lead after goals from junior attacker Ali Diamond and graduate midfielder Natalia Lynch. Georgetown’s defense had no answer for UConn’s offense, though, which went on a 6-1 run to open an early 6-3 lead. The Huskies never looked back in the first half, heading into the halftime break with a 9-6 lead.

In the first 10 minutes of the second half, both teams traded goals. With 14:30 remaining in the game, UConn scored three goals in a row, creating a dangerous 14-8 lead. Both Lynch and Diamond scored their third goals of the game in the second half, but their efforts were not enough, as the Hoyas ultimately fell 16-12.

During the game, first-year midfielder Emma Driggs made Georgetown women’s lacrosse history by winning 14 draws. Her excellent play tied the program’s single game record for draws.

Although these games ended the Hoyas’ regular season, the team is looking forward to the Big East Championship Tournament. Georgetown’s first game will take place May 6, with an opportunity for revenge as they take on UConn for the third game in a row.