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Union upends Skidmore, 9-3
May 5, 2006
GENEVA, N.Y.—The 19th-ranked Union College lacrosse team upset 18th-ranked Skidmore College 9-3 this afternoon in the semifinal round of the Liberty League Women’s Lacrosse Tournament on McCooey Field. Sophomore midfielder Keri Messa (Hotchkiss School/Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) led the charge with four points as the Dutchwomen advance to the title game.
On May 6, No. 3 Union (11-4) and No. 4 Hamilton (12-4) will play for the Liberty League Championship and automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament at 1 p.m. on McCooey Field.
Sophomore attacker Erin Lawson (Springside/Flourtown, Pa.) strung together consecutive scores to give the Dutchwomen an early 2-0 advantage. She netted her first goal off a free position shot at 10:29, while registering her 22nd goal of the season less than six minutes later off a feed from Mesa.
The Thoroughbreds (12-4) got on the scoreboard at 17:57, when first-year midfielder Jordan McManama (Wellesley/Wellesley, Mass.) collected her 14th tally of the season. Senior attacker Lizzy Dickson (Westminster School/Fairfield, Conn.) sent both teams into the intermission tied at 2-2.
Union dominated the second stanza, scoring seven of the eight markers. The Dutchwomen regained their lead just 40 seconds into the second frame, when Messa cashed in off a feed from senior attacker Robyn Ross (Newton North/Newton, Mass.). Messa netted her second goal of the afternoon off a free position shot, stretching the advantage to 6-4.
Senior attacker Emily Clark (Emma Willard/Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) trimmed Skidmore’s deficit to one at 43:22, but that would be the final time the Thoroughbreds would light the lamp.
Union secured its place in the title match with the final four goals of regulation. The Dutchwomen also avenged a 13-6 loss in Saratoga Springs earlier this season.
In goal, senior Rachel Beckman (Needham/Needham, Mass.) stopped nine shots in the win, while senior Sarah Berheide (Saratoga Springs/Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) made three saves.
Fans unable to make the trip to Geneva can log onto the 2006 Liberty League Tournament home page for real-time statistics and streaming audio.