May 23, 2010

Box Score| Photo Gallery

Gettysburg, Pa. - The Adelphi University women's lacrosse team captured its second consecutive NCAA Division II National Championship, defeating West Chester University, 17-7, this afternoon at Clark Field. The Panthers (19-1) become the first DII women's program to repeat as champions and improve their tally to a NCAA record four titles.

Sophomore Erica Devito and junior Kaitlyn Carter each tallied five goals apiece to lead the Panthers.

Adelphi took a commanding 7-2 lead in the first half which began with Carter scoring on an assist from junior Elizabeth Fey at 28:39. The Golden Rams knotted the score at 24:18 as Erin Oczkowski found the back of the net on an assist from Shannon Hayes. Fey put the Panthers up again on a feed from sophomore Claire Petersen, but Lauren Glassey tied it on a free position goal, she had three in the game, at 17:47. But that would prove to be the last goal for WCU before the break, as stellar Panther defense teamed up with senior goalkeeper Caitlin Fitzpatrick, who tallied nine saves in the first half.

Adelphi did struggle in transition, only clearing 11 of 17 attempts in the first stanza, while committing 13 turnovers. But the offense remained strong, as the Panthers closed out the last 17:30 on a 4-0 run. Sophomore Marissa Mills netted the first of her three goals on a free position shot, followed by freshman Demmianne Cook adding her own 8-meter shot to make it 5-2. Fey scored her second goal on an assist from Petersen, while Carter had the last word on an unassisted shot following a fast break to give the Panthers a five-point cushion at intermission.

The rally continued in the second half as Carter paired up with Devito at 26:02 to make it 8-2. Devito added back to back goals, one on a free position and the second on a dish from Alison Incarnato at 23:32. Held scoreless for the last 30 minutes, the Golden Rams managed back to back free position goals to make it 10-4, at 18:14. Mills recorded her third goal at 17:43, but West Chester went on a 3-0 run, including two more free position goals to close the gap, 11-6, with 14:27 left to go. But that would be as close as they would get, as Adelphi closed on a 6-0 tear. Devito accounted for three of those goals, with Carter having the last word on an unassisted shot with 1:46 left in regulation.

The Golden Rams held an 11-4 draw control advantage in the second half, but it was strong defensive play by the Panthers that forced 12 turnovers. Cook led the way with three caused turnovers along with two ground balls in the contest, while graduate student Jackie Bogensberger and sophomore Courtney Acker scooped up three ground balls a piece while causing two turnovers. Adelphi also improved to clear 14 of 16 attempts in the second half.

Fitzpatrick, who was selected to the All-Tournament Team, finished with 14 saves. MacKenzie O'Keefe made four stops for West Chester.

Fey, who finished with three goals and one assist, was named Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament. Over the three-game tournament, she tallied seven goals, seven assists, three ground balls and three draw controls.

Joining Fitpatrick and Fey on the All-Tournament team, are Devito, Carter and senior Holly Burke.

The Panthers have defeated the Golden Rams in all three NCAA Championship meetings, including 2004 and 2006. They improve their overall NCAA record to 9-2 in six appearances.

NCAA Division II All-Tournament Team
Chelsea Donaldson, C.W. Post
Brianne Jackolski, C.W. Post
Katie Zichelli, Lock Haven
Kira Nuttall, Lock Haven
Claire Grimwood, West Chester
Lauren Glassey, West Chester
Erin Oczkowski, West Chester
Kaitlyn Carter, Adelphi
Caitlin Fitzpatrick, Adelphi
Erica Devito, Adelphi
Holly Burke, Adelphi
Elizabeth Fey, Adelphi - Most Outstanding Player