CENTER VALLEY, Pa. – The Lebanon Valley women's lacrosse team battled tough in an 18-11 defeat at second-seeded DeSales University on Wednesday afternoon in the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom Semifinals.
The Dutchmen's season comes to an end with a 10-8 record, while the Bulldogs (13-5) advance to Saturday's Championship game at nationally ranked Stevens Institute of Technology. DeSales got on the board first, scoring in the first minute. The Dutchmen struck right back as they took advantage of a card, with
Molly Whisler scoring a woman-up goal off a pass by
Kyla Hebert. Whisler added another woman-up goal with 9:52 to play in the quarter as
Elizabeth Morgan found her over the middle to put LVC up 2-1.
Katie DeWitt nearly scored as she hit the post, and then
Nina Humpf had her free-position shot saved. The Bulldogs were able to even the score on a goal with 7:35 on the clock. Morgan answered three minutes later with an unassisted goal. Morgan had a shot saved before the Bulldogs called a timeout with 2:32 remaining in the quarter. They came out of the timeout with two quick goals to take the lead. Morgan nearly tied the score, but her shot was saved, and DSU kept a one-goal advantage at the end of the first quarter.
Morgan had another shot saved to begin the second quarter. The Bulldogs countered with three goals over the first three minutes to go up 7-3. Morgan then connected with Whisler for the second time as Whisler completed her hat trick to cut the lead to three with nine minutes to play in the half.
Gigi Ditsky kept it a three-goal game with a trio of saves over the next five minutes. Humpf got the deficit to two at the half with a goal in the final minute to cut the advantage to 7-5.
Kamille Bagapuro had a free position shot saved to begin the second half. DeSales countered with a goal at the other end to push the lead back to three. LVC answered back as Humpf scored her second goal of the game. Hebert and DeWitt had shots saved as the Dutchmen pressed the Bulldog defense. DSU was able to score to get back to a three-goal advantage. LVC responded with back-to-back goals by
Hannah Schneider and a women-up goal from Hebert. Schneider had the assist on the Hebert goal to get LVC within one at 9-8 with 5:14 left in the quarter. Morgan had a shot blocked, and Hebert put a shot wide before the Bulldogs scored with 10 seconds on the clock to take a 10-8 lead into the final quarter of play.
DeSales controlled possession early in the quarter and scored seven goals over the first seven minutes to take a 17-8 advantage. Bagapuro stopped the run with a free position goal, and Morgan scored 20 seconds later to get back within seven. DSU added a woman-up goal with 2:23 left before Bagapuro scored her second goal to set the final score.
Inside the Box
- Morgan led the Dutchmen with four points on two goals and two assists. The junior finished the year with a team-leading 75 points on 34 goals and 41 assists. She recorded points in all 18 games.
- Whisler scored three goals on three shots for her 11th hat trick of the season. The senior finishes her career with 164 points on 119 goals and 45 assists. She scored a team-high 50 goals this season.
- Bagapuro and Humpf scored two goals each. Humpf won three draw controls while Bagapuro won two.
- Hebert and Schneider had two points on one goal and one assist apiece. Hebert finished her career with 90 points on 70 goals and 20 assists, recording a career-high 56 points this season.
- Chloe Moser had seven draw controls with three ground balls and two caused turnovers. The sophomore has 226 draw controls and picked up her 100th career ground ball.
- Annelise Vetter caused two turnovers and picked up two ground balls to help the defensive effort.
- The Dutchmen were 15-for-19 on clear attempts and won 16 of 32 draws.
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