2015 PSAC Lacrosse Championship: Lock Haven Repeats as Champions
PSAC CHAMPIONSHIP
Lock Haven Wins Second Consecutive Title
Courtesy of Lock Haven Sports Information
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The No. 1 Lock Haven University Lacrosse team won the 2015 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) championship and second consecutive title with a thrilling, 11-6 win over No. 9 Mercyhurst University.
The championship was Lock Haven's (18-0) eighth in school history and second consecutive title. The Lady Eagles now have the most wins in the program's history, as the win marked the second victory over Mercyhurst (15-4) this season. LHU downed the Lakers, 10-9 in April.
Jessica Pandolf (Holbrook, N.Y./Sachem North) was named the PSAC Tournament MVP leading the Lady Eagles with her outstanding and flawless play.
The senior-midfielder led all-scorers today with a game-high five goals, four groundballs, and a game-high four draw controls. Pandolf went 3-for-4 on free position shots and tallied 13 overall goals in the PSAC Tournament.
The energy throughout the field was electric at the sound of the first whistle.
Chrissy Baffuto (Long Valley, N.J./West Morris Central) ignited the Haven defense with a save in the first minute of action to set the tone for the entire first half.
Lock Haven netted the first two goals to lead MU, 2-0 with 17 minutes left in the half. Mercyhurst responded with a goal before LHU netted three straight goals to lengthen the Haven lead, 5-1.
The Lady Eagles led the Lakers, 7-3 at the break.
Mercyhurst responded at the start of the second half with a goal in the first 15 seconds. Pandolf responded for the Haven with a free-position goal to lead, 8-5.
Despite the lead, Mercyhurst fought hard to gain possession but was hindered by numerous fouls and a yellow card in the second half.
Lock Haven maintained composure and defensively held the Lakers charge to seal a thrilling, 11-6 victory.
Senior Rachel Ward (Indianapolis/Bishop Chatard) added a pair of goals and a ground ball in the win.
Jenna Dingler (Turnersville, N.J./Washington Township) was remarkable and proved to be crucial in the midfield. The junior recorded three caused turnovers, one groundball, one goal, and draw control.
Not enough can be said for the brilliant play of redshirt-junior Baffuto between the pipes for LHU. Baffuto recorded 10 saves for a .625 save percentage in the win.
Melinda Wojt (Telford, Pa./Souderton) led LHU defensively with five groundballs and three caused turnovers to help hold the Lakers to just six goals.
Lock Haven recorded 19-for-21 successful clears and nine draw controls on the day.
Lock Haven will now await tomorrow's (Sunday, May 3) NCAA Division II Selection Show. The 20145 NCAA DII Women's Lacrosse Tournament Field will be unveiled tomorrow night at 8 p.m. WATCH THE SHOW LIVE HERE
Lock Haven was ranked No. 1 in the NCAA Division II South Region rankings when they came out on Wednesday. The top four teams from each region in the final NCAA Regional Rankings – North and South are selected to the NCAA Tournament.
The Lady Eagles are in search of their third consecutive NCAA bid and eighth total in school history.
PSAC SEMIFINALS
Mercyhurst Beats West Chester in Two Overtimes
Lock Haven, Pa. - No. 2 Mercyhurst topped No. 3 West Chester, 10-9 in a two overtime victory in the PSAC Lacrosse Semifinals on Friday afternoon in Lock Haven, Pa.
The Lakers will notw face No. 1 Lock Haven in the PSAC Championship on Saturday, May 2 at 1:00 p.m.
Jenna Schlagenhauf and Mackenzie Jordan led Mercyhurst with two goals apiece, and all 10 of the Lakers' goals were unassisted. Hannah Cowan recorded a hat trick for West Chester, while Dina Cifelli contributed two goals and three assists.
Mercyhurst improved to 15-3 with the win, and West Chester awaits its fate in the national tournament with a 13-5 overall mark. The Lakers are seeking their first PSAC title since joining the league.
Boxscore
Lock Haven Runs Past Seton Hill
Lock Haven, Pa. - No. 1 Lock Haven defeated No. 4 Seton Hill 17-5 in the PSAC Lacrosse Semifinals on Friday afternoon.
The Lady Eagles will now face No. 2 Mercyhurst in the PSAC Championship on Saturday, May 2 at 1:00 p.m.
PSAC Athlete of the Year Jessica Pandolf netted eight goals and one assist for the Lady Eagles while Kelly Hamilton recorded a hat trick. Emily Fagan scored a hat trick for the Griffins, but Seton Hill was outshot but Lock Haven 33-11 during the game.
Lock Haven moves to 17-0 with the win, while Seton Hill awaits NCAA selection with its 14-5 record. The Lady Eagles are seeking their second consecutive PSAC championship, and eighth overall.
PSAC QUARTERFINALS
West Chester Tops Bloomsburg
West Chester, Pa. – No. 3 West Chester outlasted No. 6 Bloomsburg in a 14-10 victory in the PSAC Lacrosse Quarterfinals on Tuesday afternoon in West Chester, Pa.
The Golden Rams will now face No. 2 Mercyhurst in the PSAC Semifinals on Friday, May 1 at 4:00 p.m. on Lock Haven's campus.
Ashley Pyle led West Chester with four goals and three assists, while Hannah Cowan and Sarah Dennison each notched a hat trick. 2014 PSAC Freshman of the Year Dina Cifelli led all players with six assists. Bloomsburg was led by Julie Falk's three goals.
Bloomsburg utilized eight free position goals while holding the Golden Rams to none.
West Chester is playing in the PSAC Championship for the 12th straight season and is seeking its first championship since 2013.
The Golden Rams improved to 13-4 with the win, while Bloomsburg drops to 8-8.
Boxscore
Seton Hill Wins High-Scoring Affair with IUP
Greensburg, Pa. - No. 4 Seton Hill defeated No. 5 IUP in a 17-11 victory in the PSAC Lacrosse Quarterfinals on Tuesday afternoon in Greensburg, Pa.
The Griffins will now face No. 1 Lock Haven in the PSAC Semifinals on Friday, May 1 at 1:00 p.m. on Lock Haven's home turf.
Emily Fagan led the Griffins with five goals, including one that stopped a 2-0 IUP run with 7:34 remaining the the second half. Reigning PSAC Athlete of the Week Emma Simmers added four goals, three assists and three caused turnovers for Seton Hill. Brittany Palardy led IUP with a hat trick.
Seton Hill sprinted out to a 8-2 lead midway through the first half and never looked back, despite several IUP runs.
Seton Hill is playing in its second consecutive PSAC Championship since joining the league in 2013, and is seeking its first conference title.
The Griffins improved to 15-4 wit the victory, while IUP drops to 10-9.
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