After starting the season as one of the league's hottest teams, the Saugerties High varsity girls' lacrosse team went ice cold last week, dropping three straight.

The rough patch began last Thursday, when the Sawyers hosted fellow Orange County Interscholastic Athletic Association powerhouse Monroe-Woodbury in an 8-6 loss. Saugerties trailed 6-2 heading into intermission, and while they fought back in the second half, the deficit proved too much to overcome. Brittany Gilligan paced the Sawyers with three goals and a pair of assists, while Brittany Hunt contributed two goals and two assists. Kate Ruby had a busy day in the goal, saving eight shots.



Things went from bad to worse on Saturday when the Sawyers were blasted 18-3 on the road by non-league opponent Lakeland. A 10-2 halftime disadvantage set the stage for a post-to-post disappointing result. Gilligan, Hunt and Nicole Russo all scored in the loss, while Ruby did yeoman's work in goal with 14 saves.



Chelsey Robinson did the bulk of the damage for Lakeland, proving her full athletic scholarship from NCAA Division I University of Virginia was well-earned with five goals and a pair of assists.



The rough stretch continued on the road for the Sawyers, who fell in a 9-8 heartbreaker to John S. Burke Catholic.



Gilligan again led Saugerties with four goals, while Erin Thornton (three goals) and Hunt (goal) also contributed.



Ruby had eight saves in goal in defeat.



The losing streak dropped the Sawyers to 7-4 overall. Saugerties returns home for a game against Washingtonville on Thursday before playing their next three on the road.