EASTON, Mass. – Top-seed and host Stonehill College scored nine unanswered goals over the final 10:12 of the first half en route to a 17-10 victory over second-seeded Southern New Hampshire University in the title game of the 2008 Northeast-10 Women's Lacrosse Championship at W.B. Mason Stadium Sunday afternoon. The Skyhawks, who claimed their ninth-straight NE-10 tournament title, improved to 14-3 overall, while the Penmen, who were making their first-ever appearance in the championship game, saw a six-game win streak snapped and end the season 12-6 overall.

Carole Lee (Derry, NH) led Southern New Hampshire with four goals, while Laura Rotolo (Waltham, MA) notched three goals. Libby Parent (Hinesburg, VT) totaled a goal and an assist while Nikki Downey (Rutland, VT) and Julie Kraus (Derry, NH) had the other Penmen tallies.

Michelle Kelly paced Stonehill with five goals and an assist while Liza Gross notched four goals for the Skyhawks.

SNHU scored the game's first goal 1:14 in when Rotolo converted a free position. Stonehill would tie the game 2:22 later, but goals by Lee at 4:28 and Downey at the 8:26 mark gave the Penmen a 3-1 lead. The Skyhawks would score the final nine goals of the first half in the period's final 10:12, including five goals in the final 1:58, to take a 10-3 lead at intermission.

The hosts extended their lead to 12-3 4:28 into the second half before Rotolo scored her second free position goal of the afternoon 7:39 into the second half to make it 12-4. The Penmen would pull to within six, 16-10, with just over three minutes to play on a goal by Parent but that would be as close as SNHU would get.

Tournament Most Valuable Player Amanda McGeachey made 12 saves for Stonehill as the Skyhawks outshot the Penmen 37-29. Southern New Hampshire netminder Katie Clark (Norwich, CT) turned aside 13 shots.

Following the game, the Northeast-10 announced its All-Conference Teams and the Penmen had four players selected. Kraus was named the league's Defensive Player of the Year and was selected to the First Team along with Parent. Lee and Clark were named to the Second Team. SNHU coach Mary Squire was named the Northeast-10 Coach of the Year for the second straight season.

Score by Period     1   2   Total  
So. New Hampshire   3   7    10
Stonehill          10   7    17

So. New Hampshire SCORING:
GOALS: Carole Lee 4; Laura Rotolo 3; Libby Parent 1; Julie Kraus 1; Nicole Downey 1.
ASSISTS: Jennifer Parro 2; Sherry Darrell 1; Libby Parent 1.

Stonehill SCORING:
GOALS: Michelle Kelly 5; Liza Gross 4; Jackie Ladino 3; Mary Maloney 3; Kristin Darrell 2.
ASSISTS: Christa LaRocco 3; Kristin Darrell 2; Michelle Kelly 1; Jackie Ladino 1.

2008-05-04