Box Score
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - Sixth-ranked West Chester University dropped the 2009 PSAC Women's Lacrosse championship game to fourth-ranked and tournament host Lock Haven, 13-10, on a balmy and humid Saturday afternooon at Charlotte Smith Field.
The Bald Eagles' win ended four years of frustration in the conference finals of losing to the Golden Rams. Lock Haven (16-3) had lost to West Chester (14-3) in each of the past three years on the road. Saturday, the Eagles claimed the crown on their own home turf.
West Chester must now wait until Sunday, May 3 when the 2009 NCAA Division II Women's Lacrosse tournament field is announced to see if it will make its unprecedented eighth trip to the NCAAs. This year, the field has expanded to six teams with a first-round game to be played on May 9.
Jackie Baker scored four goals, and Chrissy Stokes scored three times and added an assist to lead West Chester's offensive effort. Gina DiDomenicis and Nicole Haines also tallied for the Golden Rams.
Lock Haven jumped out to a 6-1 lead in the first 11 minutes of the game to set the pace. Baker scored with 32 seconds left before halftime and then again at the 21-minute mark of the second half to draw the Rams to within three, 9-6. But, that would be as close as West Chester would get unitl rattling off the final three goals of the game to pull within 13-10.
Mary Beth Green (14-3) made 10 saves in the loss. Heather Sacko made 12 saves for the Eagles.
West Chester will travel to Dowling on May 6 in its regular-season finale. The team hopes that game is a warm-up to the national tournament.
The NCAAs will take three teams from each region. The No. 1 seeds from each region receive a bye into the national semifinals. The No. 2 seeds will host the No. 3 seeds within their regions in the first round on May 9.