Some athletes have a way of dominating a game, taking charge and leading their team. The Greensboro College women’s lacrosse team had such a player this spring in senior attacker Natalie Serianni.

Opponents knew she would get the ball. They knew she would attack the goal. They knew she would take accurate shots. But they still couldn’t stop her.

Serianni scored 47 goals and added 7 assists for 54 points in just 9 games. She averaged more than 5 goals per game, and on two occasions — against Guilford and Mary Baldwin — she scored 8 goals in a single game. She was ranked 4th in goal scoring and 5th in total scoring in the most recent NCAA Division III national statistics. Serianni led the Pride with 77 shots, plus 32 free position shots, and took every draw during the season.

Other top offensive players for the Pride were Erin Howard, with 16 goals and 4 assists, and Chrissy Taggart, with 17 goals and 3 assists. Heather Thorstad produced 9 goals and 5 assists.

Goalkeeper Patty Raube recorded 157 saves and earned a save percentage of .577. She was ranked nationally in save percentage for most of the year. She recorded an impressive 24 saves against Hollins College, and was stellar in a win over Virginia Wesleyan College (17 saves, 4 goals allowed).

Greensboro’s overall record was 2-7, but the Pride lost four games by three goals or less, including an overtime loss at Pfeiffer University. The Pride’s two wins were by large margins: 16-4 over Virginia Wesleyan and 14-7 over Mary Baldwin. The Pride averaged 10 goals per game.

Members of the team deserve credit for their efforts. The team had a small roster which required most players to stay on the field throughout each game. Several teams on the Pride’s schedule were highly regarded within the Region, but Greensboro’s players showed great determination and commitment by competing — and improving — as the season progressed.

Stephanie Carter, who played on GC’s first ever women’s lacrosse team and scored the team’s first goal as a student, was in her first year as the Pride’s head coach. She was assisted by former head coach Steve Allison, who continues to serve as head coach of the men’s and women’s soccer teams.