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Union captures conference crown with 8-6 win
May 6, 2006
GENEVA, N.Y.—The 18th-ranked Union College captured its second straight Liberty League Women’s Lacrosse championship with a 8-6 victory over Hamilton College this afternoon on McCooey Field, located on the campus of William Smith. Junior attacker Alexandra Toney (Locust Valley/Bayville, N.Y.) and classmate Stephanie Cronan (Marblehead/Marblehead, Mass.) each recorded three points as the Dutchwomen earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, the fourth in the program’s history.
Under the guidance of first year Head Coach Jessica Critchlow, third-seeded Union (12-4) held the conference’s second-ranked scoring offense to just two goals in the second stanza, and six markers below their season average (12.73 goals per game). Senior goalie Rachel Beckman (Needham/Needham, Mass.) turned in a stellar performance, turning back nine shots, including five in the second half.
The fourth-seeded Continentals (12-5) got off to a fast start, scoring the first two goals of the contest. Junior midfielder Liz Longley (Duxbury/Duxbury, Mass.) played a prominent role in both tallies, netting the first and handing out a helper on the second. Her assist on classmates Inga Stots’ (Millbrook School/Clinton Corners, N.Y.) 31st goal of the season tied the Hamilton single-season assist record (33).
The Dutchwomen responded with a two-goal surge of their own to level the score at 2-2. Sophomore attacker Erin Lawson (Springside/Flourtown, Pa.) connected on a feed from Toney at 6:17, while classmate Keri Messa (Hotchkiss School/Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) netted her 22nd goal of the season at 10:58. Sophomore midfielder Caitlin Cuozzo (King Philip Regional/Norfolk, Mass.) registered the assist.
Hamilton regained its two-goal advantage on a pair of free position shots just three minutes apart. First-year attacker Kaillie Briscoe (Orangeville District School/Orangeville, Ontario) and sophomore midfielder Jen McGowan (Mount Mansfield Union/Jericho, Vt.) both converted on the one-on-one opportunity.
Unfazed by the charging Continentals, Union answered with a pair of goals in the latter stages of the half. Senior attacker Robyn Ross (Newton North/Newton, Mass.) cut the deficit to one with her 17th goal of the season, while Cronan netted the equalizer at 26:58, sending both teams into the intermission tied of 4-4.
Ten minutes into the second frame, the Dutchwomen took their first lead of the contest, when Cuozzo ripped home a feed from Cronan. The lead was short lived as Briscoe pounced on a Beckman turnover, tying the game for the third time.
Union regained its advantage at 44:28, when Toney deked out a crowd of Hamilton defenders. Toney has registered at least one goal in all 16 games and has posted 44 on the season.
The Dutchwomen would never relinquish their advantage as they seized control of the contest with a pair of insurance goals, stretching their lead to 8-5. Longley would add a late goal, but it was too little too late as Union secured its berth in the NCAA Tournament.
Between the pipes for the Continentals, junior Kalley Greer (Anderson Vocational Institute/Whitby, Ontario) made six saves in the loss.
The 2006 NCAA Tournament pairings will be announced on the morning of May 8 on NCAAsports.com.