The Rocket

Issue date: 4/4/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Steve Reed Freshman Brianne Dishong takes a shot during the Rock's 15-9 loss to Kutztown University. Dishong, a defenseman, scored one goal in the loss. The Rock is currently 0-9 overall and 0-8 in the PSAC. [Click to enlarge]

The way the SRU women's lacrosse team passed the season's midpoint was right in line with an old creed: the more things change, the more they stay the same.

The change came in the form of an evolution of sorts in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, as the Rock (0-9, 0-8 PSAC), in its second year as a varsity program, took on Kutztown University's (1-4) first varsity squad since 1990.

Unfortunately, things stayed the same, as the Rock didn't get the win in a 15-9 loss to the Golden Bears at N. Kerr Thompson Stadium on Monday.

Wednesday's match at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (2-5, 1-4 PSAC) produced a more familiar foe and result, a 14-7 loss to the Crimson Hawks.

That said, the young SRU squad has hit on several positive changes in the winless season.

One positive development is that it appears the team has discovered a potent scoring trio in junior Caitlin O'Brien, senior Jayme Timmons and freshman Alison Rusnak. O'Brien scored four goals against Kutztown and three against IUP, while Timmons added two in each contest. Rusnak tallied two goals against Kutztown.

The week's effort brought the Rock's goal total for the season to 37.

By comparison, at this point a year ago the Rock had netted 25 goals.

Not to be outdone, the defense and goaltending are also showing signs of improvement.

Against Kutztown, sophomore goaltender Ashley Winkelspecht recorded 11 saves.

Against IUP, Winkelspecht recorded 15 saves while sophomore Sara Williams added 2.

After nine games in 2007, the team had given up 210 goals.

Through nine contests this season, the Rock has allowed 172.

The Rock begins the second half of the season at 11 a.m. on Sunday when it hosts Millersville (3-3, 2-3 PSAC).

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