The Daily Campus

Issue date: 4/4/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Adam Bickford Robyn Pastuch has scored more goals this season than in her previous three seasons combined.

The last time the lacrosse team claimed a conference victory it was April 11, 2007. This Sunday, they will have another opportunity when they take on the Scarlet Knights of Rutgers.

Last time the two teams met, Rutgers came away with a 11-10 win in Piscataway, N.J. Unfortunately for the Huskies, their leading scorers from that game, Shannon Burke and Kristen Link, have since graduated, so they must look towards other new players to score on offense.

Coming off of their first win of the season against UC-Davis Sunday, the Huskies fell 18-13 Wednesday to the Fairfield Stags.

One positive from Wednesday's loss was the involvement of freshmen players on the offense getting the ball and scoring. Meghan Bohns and Jillian Cerar both tallied goals against the Stags.

"The freshman class has done a wonderful job all season long," Cersosimo said. "As a unit they have proven to have a very quick learning curve," Cersosimo said.

In addition to the freshmen, senior Robyn Pastuch has increased her role in the offense - her goal total this season has surpassed that of her last three combined.

"Robyn has done a wonderful job this year stepping into a starting role and contributing all over the field. I know that she will continue to push and get better every practice and every game," said Cersosimo

While Rutgers doesn't appear to have one go-to player, at first glance neither did the Stags. However, Fairfield's Kristen Coleman had an impressive game netting seven goals Wednesday.

Part of UConn's second-half defensive collapse against Fairfield revolved around the team surrendering free position shots. Fairfield converted four of these into goals, something that needs to be improved in the coming games.

For a UConn team that has had so many tough losses, playing with the lead is something they are unfamiliar with. While UConn was able to hold onto the lead against UC-Davis and convert it to a win, they faltered and lost a 12-7 halftime lead against Fairfield.

"The team needs to play for all 60 minutes of the game," said Cersosimo

The Huskies have played their last four games at home and with a win Sunday could come away splitting the homestand 2-2 before heading out on the road again to face Boston College and Louisville. Cersosimo, though, is not overlooking the talent of the Scarlet Knights.

"Rutgers plays like a team, everyone is contributing," said Cerossimo.



Contact Russell Blair at

Russell.Blair@UConn.edu.

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