The Keuka College Women’s Lacrosse team defeated Alfred State College 11-10 at a snowy Jephson Community Athletic Complex on Wednesday afternoon.
Brooke Bonetti (Seneca Falls, N.Y. / Mynderse Academy) tied her career high with six goals to lead Keuka College (3-2). Brooklyn Ayers (Penn Yan, N.Y. / Penn Yan Academy) had four assists in the game, and Lauren Vitello (Webster, N.Y. / Webster Schroeder) made nine saves in goal.
The Pioneers struck fast on Wednesday, scoring 61 seconds into the game for the early lead. Alfred State won the next draw and doubled their lead 47 seconds later. The Wolves settled into the game as Tori Nelson (Vernon Center, N.Y. / Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) set up Brooke Bonetti for her first goal of the game. The duo then repeated the feat to tie the game with 5:47 left in the first. Bonetti completed the hat trick, this time with Ayers getting the assist, as Keuka led 3-2 after one.
Alfred State tied the game early in the second quarter, but the Wolves took the lead back midway through the frame. Rosie Wallace (Oswego, N.Y. / Oswego) scored for the Green and Gold with Rylie Pratt (Ontario, N.Y. / Wayne) getting the assist. However, Alfred State had an advantage in the middle, winning nine of the first 10 draws. Following Keuka’s goal, the Pioneers won the draw and leveled the game at 4-4 13 seconds after Keuka took the lead. The Pioneers then did it again, taking a 5-4 lead 37 seconds later. Keuka College would get in on the action as Rylie Pratt won the next draw. The ball worked to Katie Deatherage (Canandaigua, N.Y. / Marcus Whitman) who gave it back to Pratt for the goal to tie the game at five. The Wolves were able to take advantage of a Pioneer turnover in the final minute. Caiden Crego (Lyons, N.Y. / Lyons) caused the turnover with Lauren Vitello collecting the ball. Keuka had a successful clear and Tori Nelson would score 23 seconds before the break to give Keuka College a 6-5 lead at the half.
The visitors tied the game back up in the third quarter. The Green and Gold took the lead back as Ayers set up Bonetti for the tally midway through the third. Pratt won the next draw for the Wolves and got the ball to Brooklyn Ayers down the right wing. The first-year found Maddie Fassinger (Camillus, N.Y. / West Genesee) for the goal just 27 seconds later to give the Wolves an 8-6 edge. The weather would then become a factor as the referees eventually pulled the teams off the field as snow squalls severely limited visibility. After a 10 minute delay, the field was snow-covered but play resumed. Alfred State scored the final two goals of the quarter to tie the game at 8-8 going to the final frame.
The run would stretch to three goals as the Pioneers took a 9-8 lead minutes into the fourth quarter. Rosie Wallace converted a free position shot for the Wolves and again, Keuka featured the quick-strike offense. Katie Deatherage collected the draw control and fed Brooklyn Ayers down the right wing. Ayers found Brook Bonetti for the goal 18 seconds after Wallace scored to give Keuka a 10-9 lead. Bonetti put a bow on her day with her sixth goal with 5:45 left to play. The Pioneers cut it to one with 2:43 left and won the ensuing draw. Alfred State would get a free position opportunity, but the shot went high. In the closing seconds, Liz Spin (Auburn, N.Y. / Auburn) would cause a turnover and gain the ground ball as the Wolves would run out the clock on an 11-10 victory.
KC Notes:
- Wednesday was the first time Keuka College has met Alfred State in women’s lacrosse
- Bonetti’s six goals tie her career-high, previously set a year ago from tomorrow, March 27, 2024, at Hilbert College
- Four assists for Brooklyn Ayers sets a new career best for both assists and points
- Rosie Wallace also got in on the career marks with two goals and an assist for three total points
- Katie Deatherage filled the stat sheet once again for the Wolves. She tied for the team-lead with four ground balls and led the Wolves with four caused turnovers and eight draw controls
- After trailing 9-1 in draws, Keuka College won 11 of the final 15
Up Next for Keuka College: Keuka College is next in action this weekend as the Wolves are on the road to start Empire 8 play. Keuka College will play at conference newcomer SUNY Poly on Saturday afternoon. The Wolves lost 11-8 at SUNY Poly in a non-conference game to start the 2024 season last year.
