SALEM, Va. -- Adelphi University set a new record for margin of victory in a NCAA Division II Women's Lacrosse title game on Sunday as the Panthers defeated Lock Haven University, 16-4, in Salem. The win marks the third national championship for Adelphi, making the Panthers the only team in NCAA Division II to win more than two women's lacrosse crowns.

Adelphi attacker Rachel Ray was named the Most Outstanding Player after setting three records for assists in the NCAA D-II tournament. Her eight helpers against C.W. Post in the semifinals claimed the single game benchmark while her 12 assists (four more against LHU) through the two rounds of action are the most in any one tournament. A senior, she graduates having handed out 13 assists in tournament play, the most in a career for any one player.

Records weren't exclusive to the Panthers' standout as Lock Haven goalkeeper Kira Nuttall turned back 20 shots, marking the most saves in a game during the D-II tournament. Combined with her earlier round exploits, Nuttall racked up a new single tournament high 43 saves through three games.

Lock Haven enjoyed early success with goals from Kayleigh Johnson and Allison Berger surrounding a score from Marissa Mills for a 2-1 lead at the 22:04 mark of the opening stanza.

Adelphi erased its deficit and then some as the Panthers scored nine straight goals, eight coming prior to halftime. Erica Devito netted four times in the opening frame with two coming from Kaitlyn Carter and one apiece from Ray and Michelle Ceraso. Holly Burke registered the final goal of Adelphi's run for a 10-2 advantage with 24:22 showing on the clock in the second half.

Amber Hoch snapped the Panthers' string a little over five minutes later, but Adelphi went streaking again with two goals from Carter and one each from Nicole Bass and Ceraso for a 14-3 lead with 7:18 to play.

Kate Smyth recorded the Lady Eagles' final tally with a free position effort, but Ray and Allison Tumulty capped the game with AU goals to provide the 16-4 final score.

Adelphi set a new team record for shots in a D-II tournament game, firing 45 times at Lock Haven's net. The Panthers dominated draw controls, 16-6, and forced Lock Haven into 22 turnovers (compared to 17 for AU).

* * * *

SALEM, Va. – The No. 3 Lock Haven University lacrosse team (18-4) fell 16-4 to top-ranked and undefeated Adelphi University (18-0) in today's NCAA Division II National Championship game.

Four different players scored for Lock Haven and Haven goalie Kira Nuttall (Towson, Md./Loch Raven) was nothing short of spectacular, but it wasn't enough as LHU fell to No. 1 AU. Erica Devito led all scorers with a game-high four goals.

Lock Haven head coach Kristen Selvage was pleased with her team's effort, but knows it will leave a sour taste in her young team's mouth. "This was an important step for us," Selvage said. "We won a lot of great games to get here," she added, while also noting that her team could have done a better job early in today's game.

Kayleigh Johnson (Fairport, N.Y./Fairport), Allison Berger (Oreland, Pa./Springfield – Delco), Amber Hoch (Souderton, Pa./Souderton) and Kate Smyth (Levittown, Pa./Pennsbury) all scored goals for Lock Haven. Johnson led LHU with two points, as she also added one assist in the loss.

Amber Hoch (Souderton, Pa./Souderton), Lock Haven's lone senior made her final game in crimson and white a memorable one. Her goal with 19:10 left in the game ran her career total to 211, which puts her atop The Haven's all-time career goal list. Hoch surpassed the mark set by former All-American Jessica Blickenstaff (2006-08).

1 2    Next  »

2009-05-17