May 15, 2004

Box Score

Orlando, Fla. - Junior Katherine Hock scored six goals in the second half, including the game-winner, to lead Adelphi University to a 12-11 win over West Chester University in the NCAA Division II Women's Lacrosse Championship. This is the first-ever championship for women's lacrosse and the first for a women's program at Adelphi.

It was a defensive battle throughout as neither team would score in the first six minutes of play. The Panthers struggled in the first half, allowing the Golden Rams to score four unanswered goals. Adelphi managed just one goal in the half, which came from senior Leigh Fennessey in the 13th minute. WCU rattled off two additional goals to lead 6-1 at the half.

"At the half, I knew we weren't playing the way we know how", head coach Jill Lessne said. "Our offense wasn't connecting. I knew I had to boost the moral of the offense."

A different Adelphi team came out of the intermission as they exploded with three straight goals to start the second half. The first came from freshman Diana Lopez on a check to the West Chester goalkeeper when she came out of the box. Lopez stripped the ball and had an open shot to the goal. Fennessey picked up her second goal in the 37th minute, followed by Hock on an assist from sophomore Dawn Anselmin as the Panthers closed the gap, 6-4, with 23:28 remaining. West Chester rallied, opening its lead, 7-4. Freshman Lauren Lopez netted back-to-back goals to pull Adelphi to within one. West Chester's Danielle Roy notched her third goal of the day on an assist from Kathleen Sheehan to keep the Panthers at bay.

At 10:25 Hock was fouled, setting up the free position goal. Just over a minute later, she tied the game on a feed from senior Karen Sulinski. Kirstin McGoldrick gave the Golden Rams the lead again with 7:04 remaining. D. Lopez scored her second goal of the afternoon, on an assist from sister Lauren to tie the game again, 9-9, with 5:49 on the clock. Hock scored on a free position to give the Panthers their first lead, 10-9, at 5:02. On her next goal, the Panthers led 11-9. The Golden Rams roared back on a 2-0 run to tie the game for the third time with 2:16 left in regulation. West Chester got the next draw control, but lost the ball on a defensive play by Adelphi. Hock registered the game winner unassisted with 1:29 remaining.

"Katherine was the first recruit I ever signed," said Lessne. "She completely stepped up at a time when we needed her. She proved that when you really want something you can acheive it."

A downpour of rain and a loss of power to the pressbox only seemed to spur on the Panthers who outscored the Golden Rams 11-5 in the second half. "West Chester is a phenomenal team," said Lessne. "They are extremely competitive with top notch athletes. They made us work really hard for this championship."

Freshman goalkeeper Allyson Murphy had a phenomenal game, making several key saves, totaling 12 stops in the contest. For her efforts, she was named to the NCAA All-Tournament Team. Jennifer Roman had nine saves for West Chester.

Joining Murphy on the All-Tournament team was Hock, Lauren Lopez, freshman Tara Grodotske and sophomore Melissa Demasi.

This was the second time this season the Panthers (13-1) came from behind to win, with both games a one-point decision. On Thursday, Adelphi topped C.W. Post, 11-10, to advance to the championship game.

NCAA All-Tournament Team
Katherine Hock, Adelphi
Tara Grodotzke, Adelphi
Lauren Lopez, Adelphi
Allyson Murphy, Adelphi
Melissa Demasi, Adelphi
Katelyn Martin, West Chester
Kathleen Sheehan, West Chester
Christa Somits, West Chester
Summer Ferraro, Limestone
Pam Gateau, Limestone
Trisha Moran, C.W. Post
Lauren Lomonaco, C.W. Post