HAMILTON — Helen and Bob Ford have attended every Syracuse women’s lacrosse game this season.

As sophomore Monica Joines’ grandparents, the Fords travel everywhere — home and away — from their house in Maryland. This season, Joines has given them reason to be proud. And last night, the Fords had even more reason to brag.

Joines totaled eight points (four goals, four assists) as Syracuse pounded Colgate, 18-7, at Tyler’s Field. She has seven goals and five assists in her last three games.

“She’s been playing inspired lacrosse in general,” SU head coach Lisa Miller said. “She’s been turning the corner and going to the cage really hard.”

So far, that move has been her bread and butter. Joines’ quickness makes her tough to stop. And this season, she has worked on passing the ball outside just in case somebody does block her quick sprint to the goal.

“That’s the move,” Joines chuckled. “I’m working to get a few more things on my repertoire. I’m trying to round out my game.”

Her hard work has led to a bevy of assists this season. Last year, Joines finished with four assists for SU. She had just as many last night against Colgate.

“Her vision is improving,” Miller said. “She sees the gaps and goes right into them.”

Joines credits her hard work in the summer and in the fall lacrosse season for her improvement.

“I definitely feel I’m more of a scoring threat this year,” Joines said. “I have a lot more confidence this year, and I’m not quite as timid.”

Last season, Joines was known primarily as a scorer. This year, she wants to be heralded as much for her passing as for her wicked shot.

After last night, she might be. She finished the first half with four goals and an assist. After halftime, Joines looked like a different player. She concentrated more on setting up teammates and recorded three more assists.

Who knows how many points she would have ended with had Miller not taken her out with 12 minutes left.

“It’s nice to get a break,” Joines said. “Most of all, it’s nice to see some freshmen and underclassmen get an opportunity.”

With the clock winding down and the game easily in hand, Miller sat most of the starters and reached into her bag of reserves.

Senior goalie Carla Gigon was one of the starters given a well-deserved rest. She’s seen Joines’ improvement firsthand, and as a goalie, she has been the beneficiary of Joines’ recent hot streak.

“With every game and every practice, she continues to get better,” Gigon said. “She’s a workhorse. She’s probably one of the hardest working kids on the team.”

After the game, the chipper Joines greeted her grandparents, who have missed one game in Joines’ two years at Syracuse.

Were they proud? You bet.

“They’re always pleased,” Joines said. “I could lay on the ground and not do anything and they’d be pleased.”

Published on March 26, 2003 at 12:00 pm