UALBANY WOMEN’S LACROSSE: Pascale shines despite UAlbany women’s lacrosse loss to Fairfield

FAIRFIELD, Conn. — In a hard-fought battle at Rafferty Stadium in Fairfield, Conn., the University at Albany women’s lacrosse team faced off against the five-time defending MAAC champion Fairfield Stags, ultimately falling 15-10.

Despite the loss, Katie Pascale emerged as the star of the game, making history as she became the program’s all-time leader in draw controls. Pascale’s outstanding performance included three goals, two assists, two ground balls, two caused turnovers, and a total of six draws. Her efforts were crucial in keeping the Great Danes competitive throughout the game.

The early minutes of the match saw Fairfield taking the lead with two quick goals. However, UAlbany fought back, with freshman Paisley Cook assisting Ava Poupard for the first goal, marking a promising start for the Great Danes. Pascale, along with Cook, then scored back-to-back goals within 22 seconds, tying the game at three.

Pascale’s impact extended beyond scoring, as she secured the draw control following her first goal, setting a new program record with a total of 289 draws in her career. This achievement solidified Pascale’s position as a key player for the Great Danes.

Despite UAlbany’s efforts, Fairfield managed to maintain their lead, entering halftime with a 9-5 advantage. The Stags continued their scoring momentum into the third quarter, building a commanding 14-5 lead.

Pascale remained a driving force for UAlbany, setting up Bryar Hogg to end Fairfield’s scoring run. Hogg’s goal initiated a three-goal rally for the Great Danes, closing the gap to within six points. Pascale, displaying her scoring prowess, added the final two goals of the game, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Fairfield’s lead.

Great Danes head coach Katie Thomson acknowledged the team’s slow start, emphasizing the need to find their rhythm earlier in the game. Despite the loss, Thomson expressed pride in several players who provided sparks during the match, highlighting the positive energy that the team can build upon.

“It took us too long to get going and in a flow, which was too late against a team like Fairfield, which plays with a lot of heart and hustle. We are going to keep working, learning, and moving forward. We are really proud of a handful of players who provided sparks today, and we will keep building off of that energy,” Thomson said.

The Great Danes now turn their focus to the upcoming home game against Brown on Feb. 20, aiming to bounce back and secure a victory in the next chapter of their season.