Last week’s losses against John Hopkins and Bucknell confirmed that the Wildcats would be shut out of this weekend’s Patriot League Tournament, but the team still has hopes to end the season on a high note as the final game nears.

Head coach Shannon O’Neil still focuses on the team’s future, “Despite our difficult season, I still believe we are a great team,” she said.

“I think the focus for the end of this season and into next season is primarily to practice and play every minute with intensity and an urgency to succeed.”

Last Friday’s game against Bucknell left the women’s lacrosse team with an overall record of 4-9 and a Patriot League record of 1-5.

The teams were head-to-head in the first half of the game but about 10 minutes into the second half with the game tied at seven, Bucknell began its 4-goal scoring streak which eventually led the Bisons to victory.

Despite a tough effort by the Wildcats, they were unable to come back, losing 12-8.

Freshman Cindy Koza scored a career high four goals for ‘Nova. Sophomore Katie Ardington contributed two goals and senior Meghan Carolan put one in the net for the ‘Cats.

Preceding the Bucknell game, the women faced off against the No. 19 ranked Johns Hopkins.

The Wildcats put up a fight, but were left in the dust, 11-4.

Hopkins scored six times in the first half alone, while holding ‘Nova to only 11 shots in the game’s entirety.

The ‘Cats didn’t even get on the board until six minutes into the second half, when Carolan got one past the Hopkins defense.

Carolan, Katie Komlo, Amy Rocap and Lindsey Syphard each had a goal a piece.

“I think that the girls did a fantastic job against a much stronger Hopkins team and they showed signs of their determination and talent,” O’Neil said.

“I was very happy with the intensity level in that game. We didn’t have that intensity in our game against Bucknell and I wholeheartedly believe that even great teams can not win without intensity.”

The women will need that same intensity when they host St. Joe’s in their final game, Monday at 7 p.m.

The Wildcat’s will be looking to their seniors to lead the team in the season’s final outing.

“They have put a lot of sweat and hard work into this program and I think we would all like to see them leave on a high note,” O’Neil said.  

“Finishing this season with a win will also leave us feeling good and looking forward to getting back to the tournament next year,” she added

Monday’s final game will be played at the Villanova Stadium.

The women played Rutgers Wednesday night, but results were not available at press time.