May 3, 2008
BEVERLY, Mass. - The Endicott College women's lacrosse team will make its third-straight NCAA Div. III Tournament appearance, as the Gulls clinched its third TCCC Championship in a row with a, 7-6, win over Roger Williams University on Saturday afternoon in Beverly, Mass. The Blue and Green will begin NCAA Tournament play next week.
Endicott was guided by Valerie Feldman (Albany, N.Y.), as the sophomore notched an assist and three goals including the game-winner for the Gulls. Both sides were slow in the early going, feeling each other with neither side dictating play. Feldman broke the ice 12 minutes into the first, however the Hawks answered right back on a Kasey Beckwith (Franklin, Conn.) offering to even the game at 1-all.
Endicott and Roger Williams traded goals through the next several minutes until the Blue and Green created a little separation on a 3-0 run to close out the first half with goals from Feldman, Emily Judd (Peabody, Mass.), and Brittany Kane (Scarborough, Maine). The Blue and Green carried a 6-4 advantage into the break.
A tactical second half got underway as neither team was able to beat the goaltenders until nearly halfway through the period, when Feldman ripped a shot past Roger Williams' netminder Amanda Magee (Columbus, N.J.), giving the Gulls a three-goal lead, 7-4.
The Hawks wouldn't go away quietly, as Kate Malenczak (Sayville, N.Y.) received a feed from Lauren Ferri (Northport, N.Y.) just a minute and a half later and beat Molly Hamel (North Yarmouth, Maine) to cut the lead to two.
Following a free position shot by Endicott's Kellie Cunningham (Derry, N.H.), the Hawks managed to come up with possession, and quickly worked the ball up the field. Roger Williams' Libby Stout (Concord, Mass.) beat the defenders and found the back of the net, slicing the Gulls margin to just one.
That was as close as the Hawks would get, as the Endicott defense stood strong for the final ten minutes despite an aggressive RWU attack. Gulls' goalie Molly Hamel made four saves and handled the ball a total of six times to close out the game and clinch the championship.
Emily Judd assisted Feldman in the scoring effort, as the lone senior notched a pair of goals in the win. Brittany Kane and sophomore Kristen Micho (Syracuse, N.Y.) each had a goal for the Gulls, while Cunningham had a team-high two assists.
Roger Williams' Kate Malenczak led the Hawks with three goals. Amanda Magee made eight saves in the losing effort. Endicott dominated the draw control game, grabbing 12 of a possible 15 attempts in the win.
Endicott now awaits word on its official seeding in the First Round of the NCAA Div. III Tournament. The Gulls' opponent will be announced on Sunday evening. Check back to www.ecgulls.com for more details.
