Belmont Abbey received three goals each from Tara Chmil, Laurie Jordan and Shannon Farden as the Crusaders women's lacrosse team earned a berth in the Conference Carolinas Tournament Championship game for the first time in the program's three-year history with a 15-9 win over Queens University this afternoon in the semifinal round in Gaffney, South Carolina. The Crusaders, winners of five-straight, improve to 12-6, while the Royals fall to 11-7.

The Abbey defeated Queens in all three meetings this season. The Abbey outshot the Royals 34-19 as Chmil posted three goals and three assists. Jordan and Farden both added three goals while Meghan Darley and Kerri Gut both scored a pair. Brianna Dignan and Samantha Hooker both scored once. Dignan led all players with four assists, while Hooker added one.

Defensively, Dignan and Farden led the way with three caused turnovers. Michelle Babcock finished with a pair. Farden posted a team-high five ground balls, while Dignan scooped up three. Goalkeeper Kate Gavin made seven saves.

After leading 5-4 at the half, the Abbey outscored Queens 10-5 in the second half as Farden scored all three of her goals in the stanza, while Jordan and Chmil both scored two of their three goals in the second half.

The Abbey advances to the Championship game tomorrow at noon, when they will face the top-seeded Limestone Saints.

2008-04-19