Box Score
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – For the fourth consecutive year, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference women’s lacrosse championship game will pit West Chester University vs. Lock Haven University as the sixth-ranked Golden Rams downed fifth-ranked Mercyhurst, 10-8, on a sun-splashed Friday afternoon at Charlotte Smith Field.
No. 4 and tournament host Lock Haven (14-3) defeated Bloomsburg (12-6), 21-11, in the first semifinal of the day at Charlotte Smith Field. West Chester (14-2) advances to take on the Bald Eagles Saturday at 4 p.m. in the 2009 PSAC Women’s Lacrosse Championship Game.
The title-game combatants are no strangers to one another as the women’s lacrosse championship game seems to play like Groundhog Day all over again. For the past three years, Lock Haven has watched West Chester walk off the field with the “blue” trophy.
West Chester remains undefeated in PSAC semifinal play with the win over Mercyhurst (13-3). It also avenges an 11-9 setback in the regular season to the Lakers.
Chrissy Stokes scored four goals and assisted on another to lead the Golden Rams to the win. Jackie Baker had one goal and one assist, and Shannon Hayes posted two assists. Nicole Haines scored twice while Claire Grimwood, Courtney Whiting and Katy Crouse each tallied once for the top-seeded Rams.
“Today was all about poise and composure,” West Chester head coach Ginny Martino said. “We were trailing for most of the game. But, we were able to play within our means and pull it together in the second half. I think the leadership of our eight seniors and their experience playing in championship games showed at the end.”
Stokes’ natural hat trick in the final 11 minutes of play erased a one-goal deficit and provided the favored Golden Rams with the eventual margin of victory. West Chester held Mercyhurst to just two goals in the second half and shut out the Lakers over the final 20 minutes of play. Hayes assisted on two of Stokes’ three goals in the decisive run.
Mary Beth Green came up with seven saves in the win for the Golden Rams, who improved to 19-1 overall in the PSAC postseason tournament since 1994 and 7-0 in the semifinals.
West Chester will meet Lock Haven in the championship game for the fourth consecutive year and fifth time overall in PSAC Tournament play. The Golden Rams are 4-0 against the Eagles in the postseason. West Chester also brings a nine-game winning streak against Lock Haven into Saturday’s title match. The Rams have not lost to the Eagles since 2006.
