CLINTON, N.Y. -- Jen McGowan '08 tied a career high with five goals to help lead nationally ranked No. 4 Hamilton College past visiting Union College, 11-10, in the Liberty League women's lacrosse championships tournament final at Campus Road Athletic Field on May 3.

Kaillie Briscoe '09 scored unassisted for Hamilton (17-1 overall) with 5 minutes, 59 seconds remaining in the second half to break a 9-9 tie and give the Continentals the lead for good. McGowan's unassisted goal with 4:02 left proved to be the game-winner as No. 7 Union (13-3 overall) drew to within one on a free-position goal by Kristin Joyce '11 with 1:44 to play. Joyce led the Dutchwomen with four goals.

The Continentals earned the Liberty League's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III championships with their second straight league tournament title. Hamilton and Union have met in the league tournament final three straight years. This was Union's fifth consecutive appearance in the championship game.

Briscoe also notched Hamilton's only assist. McGowan led all players with three ground balls. Kate Fowler '10 earned the win by making five saves.

Keri Messa '08 scored two goals, added one assist and caused a game-high three turnovers for Union. Messa -- the Dutchwomen's points leader -- received a second yellow card with 15:52 remaining in the second half and had to sit out the rest of the game. Chelsea Charette '11 scored twice for Union. Allie Cuozzo '10 contributed one goal and one assist. Caitlin Cuozzo '08 led all players with four draw controls. Cat Ruggiero '11 suffered her first loss this season despite making seven saves.

The score was tied, 4-4, at the half. Hamilton scored first when two-time league player of the year Nicole Tetreault '08 beat Ruggiero with 27:04 left in the first half. Union scored the next three unanswered, but Hamilton responded with three straight of its own for a 4-3 lead. Allie Cuozzo's unassisted goal with 3:45 to play tied it up again.

McGowan, who made good on four of five free-position shots, converted a free-position opportunity just 54 seconds into the second half. The Continentals led, 9-7, following a goal by Anne Graveley '11 with 20:38 to play, but Charette scored back-to-back goals to tie the game at 9-9 with 12:21 left.

Hamilton had 12 free-position chances to Union's five. The Continentals also held a slight edge in total shots, 26-20, but draw controls were decidedly in Union's favor, 15-8.

Hamilton has won four straight games against Union and leads the all-time series, 23-12. The Continentals have won 15 straight overall and 20 in a row at home. The 17 wins is a new program record for one season.

Score by Period       1  2  Tot
-------------------------------
Union College.......  4  6 - 10
Hamilton College....  4  7 - 11

Union College SCORING:
GOALS: Kristin Joyce 4; Keri Messa 2; Chelsea Charette 2; Allie Cuozzo 1; Jill LaForest 1.
ASSISTS: Allie Cuozzo 1; Steph Egizi 1; Melissa Hine 1; Keri Messa 1.

Hamilton College SCORING:
GOALS: Jen McGowan 5; Kaillie Briscoe 1; Liz Rave 1; Sarah Bray 1; Nicole Tetreault 1; Audrey Nebergall 1; Anne Graveley 1.
ASSISTS: Kaillie Briscoe 1.

Union College GROUND BALLS: Caitlin Cuozzo 2; Becca Kriskey 2; Keri Messa 2; Maria Prendergast 2; Allie Cuozzo 1; Steph Egizi 1; Melissa Hine 1; Kristin Joyce 1; Julie Rahill 1; Cat Ruggiero 1.

Hamilton College GROUND BALLS: Jen McGowan 3; Tara Eckberg 2; Kate Fowler 2; Allie Shpall 2; Sarah Bray 1; Kaillie Briscoe 1; Catie Gibbons 1.

Union College TURNOVERS CAUSED: Keri Messa 3; Maria Prendergast 2; Caitlin Cuozzo 1; Kristin Joyce 1; Julie Rahill 1.

Hamilton College TURNOVERS CAUSED: Tara Eckberg 2; Kate Fowler 2; Jen McGowan 2; Nicole Tetreault 2; Sarah Bray 1; Catie Gibbons 1; Audrey Nebergall 1; Allie Shpall 1; Katie White 1.

SHOTS - UNION 20; HAMW 26.

PENALTIES - UNION 3/9:00; HAMW 1/3:00.

TURNOVERS - UNION 15; HAMW 12.

CLEARS - UNION 13-15; HAMW 18-21.

GOALIES
UNION: Cat Ruggiero 4-1 (60:00 minutes, 18 shots-7 saves, 11 GA).
HAMW: Kate Fowler 16-1 (60:00, 15-5, 10).

2008-05-03