The Fort Lewis College women’s lacrosse team started strong against Colorado Mesa at home on Thursday. Caprietta Abbadessa took a pass from Melanie Evans and scored to tie the game at 1-1. Just 30 seconds later Rebecca Kiyokawa assisted Haley Dostie to give FLC a 2-1 lead.
Mesa, however, scored the game’s next six goals to take a comfortable 7-2 lead into the second quarter and eventually won the contest, 17-10.
Dostie scored her second goal of the game to start the second quarter. It was FLC’s only score in the frame, despite two free position opportunities, but the Skyhawks only gave up two goals.
The teams traded goals to start the third quarter, with Maren Clark and Liv Crawford scoring unassisted goals for the Skyhawks that cut Mesa’s lead to 11-5.
Goalie Averi Basso made a pair of saves shortly after, and finished the game with 11.
The Mavericks, however, eventually went on another roll, scoring three goals in a 59-second span to pull back ahead.
The Skyhawks scored five of the game’s last eight goals, but were unable to catch the Mavericks.
Crawford and Dostie both scored three goals for FLC. Abbadessa scored two, Clark scored one, and Ellie Martinez scored one.
Taylor Jakerman and Melanie Evans led Mesa with four goals apiece.
FLC is now 4-8 overall and 4-4 in the RMAC. Mesa improved to 9-4, 7-1.
The Skyhawks will be back on their home field at noon Saturday when the team hosts Westminster College (3-7, 3-4).
Adams State University Athletic Director Katelyn Smith announced this week that the Grizzlies will discontinue its women's lacrosse program, effective immediately.
“Unfortunately, after much discussion and evaluation, we had to make the difficult decision to discontinue this program. The decision was not made lightly and in no way easy to make,” said Smith. “We, in the athletic department are here for any student-athletes affected by this. We appreciate the support of the RMAC office, and the RMAC sponsoring schools as we maneuvered through this difficult process.”
Following the announcement by the university, the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference has deemed the unplayed contests on the Grizzlies’ 2022 schedule as forfeits. The Grizzlies were slated to play eight more contest throughout the remainder of the 2022 season, all of which were against conference opponents.
“We are sorry to learn of Adams State’s decision to discontinue their program but we recognize their circumstance and appreciate their communication throughout the process,” said RMAC Commissioner Chris Graham. “I am confident that our current six sponsoring institutions will continue to thrive and that opportunities may be available in the future to add more women’s lacrosse programs to the RMAC.”
The four RMAC contests already completed by the Grizzlies will remain on record as scored, but Fort Lewis College will receive a 6-0 forfeit in place of the game between the programs scheduled for April 27.
Upon the conclusion of the 2022 season, the RMAC will continue forward with six institutional members within the women’s lacrosse league.
Originally starting in 2011 as an enrollment-based sport, the Grizzlies have competed for 12 years. After the forfeits are counted, the Grizzlies will officially conclude the program with a 12-117 record. Adams never won a game against Fort Lewis.
