Although they have won the past six straight championships, the women’s lacrosse team took nothing for granted when clinching the ODAC title yet again. With a focus on controlling the pace of the game and slowing down the ball, the number ten ranked Generals finished with a victory over Randolph-Macon and a season record of 15- 2.

This title wasn’t earned without challenges.

“Our team suffered five season-ending injuries and there were points in the middle of the year where we weren’t as confident we were going to win the ODAC championship, meaning we’d really have to work for it,” Coach Brooke O’Brien said. “I think that’s why this one was special. It wasn’t easy. Most of the games that we’ve played have been really close and games where we really had to battle it out.”

On May 2, the team defeated Randolph-Macon with a score of 8-7 on its home field. Senior Sammy Yates contributed three goals against the Hornets.

“Sammy was somebody who really stepped up for us in both of the ODAC tournament games,” O’Brien said. “She’s been a really solid midfielder for us all year, but both against Lynchburg and Randolph- Macon, she stepped up as a goal scorer for our team, and that was huge for us.”

Yates was not the only player to act as a leader out on the field. Senior goalie and four-year starter Cara Mulligan was recently named ODAC player of the year and logged 4 major saves in the final game.

“Cara has been a rock for us for four years,” O’Brien said.

Mulligan has served as a model student athlete and has remained a reliable player from a team perspective.

“I’m glad the league recognized all that she’s provided for our program,” O’Brien said. “She’s a great kid and a good student and exactly the kind of student-athlete you hope to see as a coach.”

The NCAA tournament is not a foreign arena to the Generals. They have won a conference best 16 ODAC championships and played a second round NCAA game against Sewanee on May 10 on Watt field after earning a first round bye.

“Sewanee has a high-powered offense. They’re second in the country in goals scored and they’re averaging 18 goals a game,” O’Brien said. “One of the big keys is to slow down their attack. Attacking wise, we need to shoot well and take advantage of the opportunities we are given.”

The team did just that Sunday, winning the game 18-4. The Generals will continue chasing the national title they’ve been working for with their next game vs. Fredonia State on May 16.