Lebanon Valley 2, Stevenson 1
 
LVC Starters
Lysakowski, Steenkamer, Kat, Ward, Dennis, Vulpas, Simon, Kagarise, Pentz, Garman, ByDeley (GK)
 
Stevenson Starters
Meyer, Colborn, Young, Glatfelter, Hershberger, McVey, Hoffman, Byram, Morris, Jones, Eure (GK)
 
How It Happened
Down by a goal in the second half, Cecile Kat scored twice in the span of 2:25 and Lebanon Valley eventually held on to defeat Stevenson 2-1 and clinch a MAC Commonwealth Tournament berth on Wednesday night at Arnold Field. The Dutchmen jumped to 9-8, 4-3 MACC, while the Mustangs were eliminated from playoff contention and dropped to 6-11, 2-5 MACC.
 
Before tonight's game, LVC honored its four seniors in Julia Davis, Tasia Dennis, Isabella Vulopas, and Victoria ByDeley on Senior Night.
 
After neither team could find the back of the net in the first half, Stevenson broke the 0-0 tie in the 55th minute when Ashley Meyer collected a rebound snuck one past ByDeley to give the Mustangs the lead. That advantage didn't last long at all though, as the conference's leading scorer showed why she's been the best player in the MAC Commonwealth this season. As she's done many times this season, Kat brought LVC back to life just two minutes after the Mustangs went ahead when Hannah Simon streaked down the right side and sent a pass into the box. Kat was there waiting and one-timed it into the back of the net to knot the game at 1-1.
 
Then, just 2:25 later in the 59th minute, Kat was at it again when the Dutchmen received a penalty corner. Taylor Pentz sent the ball to Kat and she rocketed one home for her 23rd goal of the season that gave LVC the huge 2-1 lead. With 4:45 remaining in the contest, the Mustangs pulled their goalie and used a kick back as an extra attacker. Stevenson made things interested in the final minute, but the Dutchmen's stout defense was up for the task. With 1:01 left, Emma Adams ripped a shot but ByDeley made the stop. That was followed by a slew of chances for the Mustangs, but Alisa Steenkamer made two defensive saves in the span of five seconds, and Stevenson's Adams hit the post but LVC was able to clear the ball out and the clock eventually ran out to seal the Dutchmen's biggest win of the season.
 
Inside the Numbers
 - Kat finished with two goals on five shots to pad her stats heading into the playoffs. Coming in to tonight, she was fourth in Division III with 1.40 goals per game.
 - ByDeley made 12 big stops to earn her seventh win of the season in net.
 - Steenkamer ended with three defensive saves for LVC.
 - Stevenson's Kelsey Eure made five stops in net.
 - The Mustangs' Nikki Jones had two defensive saves.
 - Stevenson held the edge in shots (23-11) and shots on goal (16-9).
 - The Mustangs held the slight edge in penalty corners at 8-6.
 
Bring On Messiah
The Dutchmen are locked into the No. 4 spot in next week's MAC Commonwealth Championship Tournament. On Wednesday, LVC will travel to take on undefeated Messiah in the semifinal round at 7 p.m. These two teams met back on Oct. 17 in Annville when the Falcons escaped with a 2-1 win in OT.
 
Who's Next?
The Dutchmen travel to Gwynedd Valley on Saturday for a 3 p.m. game against Gwynedd Mercy in LVC's regular season finale.
 
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