Box Score Box Score
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Another NCAA contest and another textbook defensive performance as No. 7 West Chester University stymied No. 3 Rollins all afternoon en route to a 19-10 victory in the NCAA Division II Women’s Lacrosse semifinal at Owsley B. Frazier Stadium on the campus of Bellarmine University Thursday afternoon.
West Chester (16-3) advances to the national championship game for the ninth time in the last 12 years and first time since 2010. Rollins (15-2) sees its best campaign in the four-year history of the program come to a close with its second straight loss of the season.
The Golden Rams held the nation’s top scoring offense, which averaged 18 points per game coming in, to just three tallies in the first half. The Tars’ 10 goals marked the lowest output all year for Rollins.
West Chester went on a 10-1 run in the second half, holding the Tars' high-powered offense to just a single tally in a 17-minute span. Rollins lost its composure defensively, and the Golden Rams made the young team pay by consistently finding open attackers insie the 8-meter circle and finishing off unsettled situations in transition.
"Sometimes, when you string together a few goals, you just get on a roll," senior attacker MacKenzie O'Keefe said. "We just want to keep it going on into the national championship game."
Lauren Glassey (4 goals) potted two open-net goals, one in each half, capitalizing on a pair of mistakes from Rollins' keeper. Her ability to beat people in one-on-one situations opened up many opportunities, not only for herself, but for others.
"Glassey loves defenders coming out and getting in her face," head coach Ginny Martino explained. "She loves that challenge. At this level, all the defenses you see are going to be good. Glassey just finds a way to rise to the occasion."
Despite scoring 19 goals, it was West Chester's defense that seemed to be stealing the show early on. Rollins took a 1-0 lead one minute and a half into the contest. However, sophomore goalkeeper Jess Henderson stiffened in the cage and did not allow another shot past her until five minutes remained in the opening half.
Henderson recorded 10 saves in the contest, six in the first half, and her defense in front of her frustrated the impatient Tars all afternoon.
O'Keefe (3 goals) also scored into an open goal when the keeper came out to challenge the senior attacker and fouled her.
Erin Oczkowski led all scorers with five markers. Patterson registered a hat trick to go along with O'Keefe's three and Glassey's four.
