SCHENECTADY, N.Y. -- Kate Marek scored her 18th goal of the season 2:49 into overtime and visiting Hamilton College hung on for a 4-3 win against Union College in the Liberty League women's lacrosse tournament championship game at Frank Bailey Field on May 2.

The six-minute overtime period is not sudden victory in women's lacrosse. The teams play until time has elapsed. Nationally ranked No. 8 Hamilton (14-2 overall) won its third straight league tournament title and earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III tournament, which starts next week.

Union -- the tournament's top seed and ranked sixth in Division III -- was trying to win its third tournament crown and first since 2006. This was the fourth straight year the two teams had met in the championship game. The NCAA tournament field will be announced on CBS College Sports Network on Sunday between 10 and 11 p.m.

Kaillie Briscoe was credited with the assist on Marek's game-winner. Briscoe also scored a goal just 41 seconds into the first half -- the 200th goal of her career. Tournament Most Valuable Player Liz Rave notched two goals and leads the Continentals with 39. Kate Fowler made nine saves, including six in the second half. Liz Benjamin '09 helped lead a strong defensive effort with three caused turnovers and three ground balls.

Kristin Joyce -- the league's 2009 Player of the Year -- scored all three goals for the Dutchwomen (14-3), who never led. Cat Ruggiero stopped nine shots, including two in overtime.

After Briscoe's goal gave Hamilton an early lead, Rave scored on an assist from Sarah Bray to make the score 2-0 with 28:21 left in the half. Joyce cut the Union deficit in half 1:50 later and tied the score on a free-position goal with 13:45 remaining before the break.

Rave put the Continentals back in front, 3-2, on her own free-position goal with 21:51 left in regulation. Joyce scored her 61st goal this season nearly five minutes later to force the second tie of the afternoon. Joyce leads the league in goals. The teams played a tense final 16:57 of regulation without either scoring a single goal.

The Dutchwomen committed three turnovers and didn't get off a shot in the extra session. The final Union turnover came with less than a minute to play. Marek scooped up the ball and Hamilton ran out the clock.

The Continentals lost 15-4 against the Dutchwomen on the same field just eight days ago on April 24. This time, Hamilton surrendered a season-low three goals. Union held an 18-16 advantage in shots and 22-18 edge in ground balls. The Dutchwomen won eight draw controls to the Continentals' three.

2009-05-02