Women's Lacrosse | 4/29/2016 12:26:00 PM

ITHACA, N.Y. — Heading into the 2016 season with a new head coach in Karrie Moore, the Ithaca College women's lacrosse team began the season with high hopes for a successful campaign.

Leading up to the final game of the regular season, the Bombers (11-4, 7-0 Empire 8) sit in first place in the Empire 8 conference and can secure the Empire 8's regular season championship and the right to host the postseason tournament with a win over St. John Fisher at 1 p.m. Saturday at Higgins Stadium.

These Bombers rely on their senior class to set the tone, and the class of 2016 for Ithaca is living up to the challenge. The four seniors — captain Erika Johnson, Riley Marion, Mackenzie Robinson and Ally Lates — will be honored ahead of Saturday's regular season finale. The four lead the team while displaying great chemistry on the field, in part because of the time they spend together when they are not on the field.

"They are my best friends. I live with Mackenzie and Ally (Runyon). We spend so much time together on and off the field, so we have gotten to know each other really well over the years. We will be friends beyond college and lacrosse," said Marion, a two-time All-Empire 8 honoree who leads the team with 43 goals this season.

Together, Ithaca's senior class has posted an overall record of 46-24 while going 27-2 (.930 winning percentage) in regular season play against Empire 8 opponents during their careers on South Hill. Thinking back, there are a lot of things that this year's leaders took away from previous generations.

"When I was a freshman the seniors set an example by playing hard, bringing energy to a game, and also offering encouragement," remembered Marion, an attacker/midfielder. "They also helped me with positioning and other components of the game. I try to do the same."

This year, the seniors were called on more than ever when Moore, IC's first-year head coach, took over and implemented changes to the team's system.

"I think we adjusted to the coaching change very well. We saw it as a fresh start for everyone. Every drill was new for everyone, not just the freshmen, so we had to come together as a team to figure out different things," said Robinson, a midfielder.

During the fall semester, the captain's practices are an important part of the team's preparation for the upcoming season. With the coaching change, the seniors had to display their leadership while creating the foundation for a successful spring.

"Seniors have always run captain's practices in the fall leading up to our fall season so this year was no different, but I think what was important was to help everyone keep an open mind because we knew things would be different this year," said Johnson, who has started the last 34 games as a versatile defender.

"We've all been learning new plays and drills together and just trying to help each other out as much as we can."

Ithaca's game against rival St. John Fisher will decide home field advantage for the Empire 8 tournament, where Ithaca has advanced to the Empire 8 championship game for the last six years.

In Johnson's opinion, the Bombers have a good chance to turn the tide this year, to win the conference championship, and to secure a berth into the NCAA Division III tournament.

"I think one of the biggest and best differences (between) this year (and last year) is how deep our bench is. We have three lines of midfielders that substitute out constantly so we can stay fresh," said Johnson, an anchor on an IC defense that allows 8.1 goals per game, third-fewest in the conference.

"We also have defensive and attack substitutes that we can rely on if anyone ever gets hurt or tired and need to come out."

The team's 2016 campaign took a hit before the previous season even ended. Senior Ally Runyon tore her ACL at the end of last season and has sat out this year to fully recover.

Runyon is currently 10^th on the Bombers' all-time points list with 168 points (142 goals, 26 assists), including earning third-team All-American honors after scoring 68 points on 55 goals with 13 assists in 2015.

Despite the injury, the team stood behind its friend and teammate and voted Runyon as one of the captains for this season.

"Being captain means that my teammates trust me and my judgement and my passion and love for the game, which means a lot to me," said Runyon, who will look to return to the team next year. 

"Even though I am injured, I think it shows that I am very committed and would do anything to help our team reach its goals."

For Runyon's teammates, the decision to honor her as a co-captain was a no-brainer.

"It's awesome having Ally as a captain, she is the best player I have ever played with. Having her as a captain only seems right. We have so much fun playing together and have such good chemistry on the field. I miss her a lot out there," said Marion, who currently leads Ithaca in scoring (52 points) and has 167 career points (128 goals, 39 assists), one point behind Runyon on the all-time points list.

The Ithaca College women's lacrosse team's senior class will cherish their time on the South Hill together. Besides enjoying a great regular season and a shot at winning the Empire 8 championship, the group will always remember the memories they've made and the friendships they've developed together.

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