Despite few numbers of students and fans in the stands, the Bloomsburg Women’s Lacrosse team had quite the remarkable run this season. 

Finishing the season with an 8-6 record, the Huskies overcame adversity thrown at them, as they returned to the field without any spectators. Despite this, the girls finally got the green light to begin play again this spring, after COVID shut down their season in March of 2020. 

Returning to the team for their final season, the Huskies honored their seniors on opening day, including Allison Bardman, Abby Bergman, Anna Dempsey, Tiffany Diachynsky, Angela DiPasquale, Faith Duffy, and Lana Paulo. These seniors have represented the Huskies for four-plus years, and were recognized for their leadership, hard work, and dedication to the Women’s Lax program. Unfortunately, opening day did not go as they wished, as the Huskies fell to PSAC rival the East Stroudsburg Warriors, 14-5. 

However, over the course of the next several games, Bloomsburg quickly regained control, winning eight of their next thirteen games. Notably, BU dominated over Shippensburg on March 23rd, with a grand margin of 17-7. This was the Huskies third consecutive win, with senior Abby Bergman leading the way with four goals, along with freshman Amanda Stoll, and sophomore Kate Roberts scoring three goals each. 

As the season went on, BU eventually went on to clinch a playoff spot, for the first time since 2018, under head coach Shannon Hertz.  In the matchup versus Millersville, the Huskies took command early in the game, with Bergman scoring a career-high seven goals, and two assists. Additionally, DiPasquale also celebrated a huge breakthrough in her career, making her 600th save as a Husky. 

On May 1st, Bloomsburg traveled to East Stroudsburg to face the #9 Warriors for the 2021 PSAC Women’s Lacrosse Quarterfinals. Upon the entrance of the matchup, the Huskies were named No. 3 Seed in the East, and historically held a 31-16-1 record over East Stroudsburg. This gave Bloomsburg hope, as they got set to undergo the challenge of the season, versus the No.2 seed Warriors. 

Right off the bat, ESU stuck first, scoring two goals within the first five minutes. Nevertheless, BU battled back, with Abby Bergman, Kate Roberts, Anna Dempsey, and Haley Williams keeping the Huskies close. At halftime the Warriors still had the lead, winning 9-5. To BU’s downfall, this momentum would carry into the second half for the Warriors, as they tacked on eight more goals to win the game 18-7. 

Although the Huskies did not end up on top, they achieved a number of accomplishments this season, especially given that they managed to make it through a COVID season, safely and healthily. 

In the words of the goalkeeper graduate student Angela DiPasquale, “This lacrosse season didn’t end with the PSAC championship that we all wanted, but it was a memorable season! There were ups and downs dealing with COVID times and figuring out how to have a safe season, but we had a season. We found unique, creative ways to bond while working hard and it helped get us to a final record of 8-6, only losing to three teams.” 

In specific, the Huskies standout star Angela DiPasquale, was named PSAC Eastern Division Defensive Athlete of the Week on March 23rd, for her outstanding performance in her first two wins of the season. Throughout the entirety of her career, the grad student has totaled 40 career wins, 635 saves, 237 ground balls, and 68 caused turnovers. She also had two 10-win seasons in 2018 and 2019. 

Recalling her memorable career at Bloomsburg, DiPasquale remarked, “For us seniors, getting to compete this season was huge! Being a part of the Women’s lacrosse program here has been some of the best times of our life. It introduced us to our lifelong friends and gave us memories on and off the field that will last forever. We got to end our careers on the field alongside each other and that’s a lot more than what last year’s seniors can.”

Going into next season, the Huskies will appoint rising seniors Abby Kalish, Kelsey Kilgalon, Erin Gingrich, and Caitlin Leap to step into leadership roles, serving as role models for current and incoming underclassmen.