The Georgetown University women’s lacrosse team (5-4) extended its perfect record against the University of Cincinnati Bearcats (7-5) with an exceptional 16-11 victory March 21 at Cooper Field. 

From the first whistle of the day, it was clear Georgetown came ready to defend their turf.

Powered by a career-high 6 goals from junior attacker Gracie Driggs and a dominant performance at the draw circle, the Hoyas found their rhythm to defeat the Bearcats in their final game before conference play begins. 

Georgetown struck first as Driggs opened the scoring within the first two minutes of the game. Cincinnati responded quickly, but Georgetown surged ahead with a 3-0 run off goals from graduate midfielder Rosie McCarthy, Driggs and sophomore attacker Anne McGovern to take a 4-1 lead. 

The Bearcats answered with a 4-goal run, seizing their only lead of the day at 5-4. 

Just before the end of the first quarter, the Hoyas reclaimed momentum with goals from Driggs, senior attacker Emma Gebhardt and first-year attacker Sophia Loschert to close out an energetic first quarter with Georgetown up 7-6.  

The second quarter featured similar back-and-forth play, but the Hoyas built their lead with goals from Driggs, sophomore attacker Anne McGovern and senior midfielder Rileigh Meyer. Despite pressure from Cincinnati, who put up 2 of their own, Georgetown remained composed and went into halftime with a 10-8 lead. 

The Hoyas came out of halftime with a burst of energy, stringing together 3 unanswered goals to extend their gap to 13-8. 

Loschert said Georgetown successfully made adjustments at halftime.

“On the offensive side, we were able to see where their defense had gaps in it. It was definitely a major point discussed during halftime,” Loschert wrote to The Hoya. “Going into the second half we made sure to possess the ball but also continue the quick ball movement that led to their defense breaking down and gaps being shown.” 

Driggs continued her terrific performance in the third quarter with her fifth goal of the afternoon. After the game, Driggs said the team’s one play at a time strategy allowed them to find success.

“Taking it one draw at a time, one ground ball or one clear, allowed us to be successful and come away with the game for the third quarter,” Driggs wrote to The Hoya. 

Despite a last-second score from Cincinnati, Georgetown entered the fourth quarter up 14-10. 

The final quarter saw a defensive stalemate, with both teams trading turnovers and missed opportunities. The Hoya defense kept their foot on the gas in the fourth quarter, holding the Bearcats scoreless for the first 10 minutes. 

Cincinnati found the net late in the final quarter, but Georgetown shut the door for good when graduate attacker Hanna Bishop responded with 2 decisive goals of her own, both assisted by McGovern, to seal the 16-11 victory. 

Driggs had a career-high afternoon with 6 goals, and led all players with 9 draw controls, consistently giving the Hoyas possession advantages. 

McGovern racked up 8 points with 3 goals and 5 assists, and she was a perfect 3 for 3 on free position shots. 

Georgetown also dominated the draw circle, winning 20 of 29 draw controls and outshooting the Bearcats 33-26. 

Driggs said the win is reflective of Georgetown’s growth this season.

“This win shows how much our team has grown over the first half of the season,” Driggs wrote. “We are consistently hitting our stride right now and connecting from the defensive end to the midfield and into the offensive end in these tough matchups. Our team always has each other’s back when we need it throughout the game, and that speaks volumes about the culture and trust our players and coaches have built this year.”

Loschert said beating Cincinnati was important to the team.

“Going into the game, we knew that Cincinnati is a good team that is well coached,” Loschert wrote. “So being able to pull away from them makes a statement going into a really important second half of the season.” 

“It gives us confidence and shows that we need to trust each other and ourselves and the work we have put into practice not only in the past two weeks, but since preseason,” Loschert added.

Driggs said Georgetown has the chance to build on this win as they begin conference play.

“In Cincinnati, we stepped out and set the tone for the game through our intensity and urgency all over the field, and we need to do the same against Denver,” Driggs wrote. “By controlling the pace and keeping composure, we can come back with a win on Saturday and make a statement of who Georgetown Lacrosse is this year in the Big East.” 

With non-conference play wrapped up, Georgetown will now shift its focus to Big East conference play. The Hoyas will travel to Denver to take on the University of Denver Pioneers Saturday, March 29 in their conference opener at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium.