Skyhawks Claim Ninth Straight NE-10 Championship, 17-10
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Information Provided By Stonehill Sports Information
Easton, Mass. - The Stonehill College Women's Lacrosse team (14-3,
10-0 Northeast-10 Conference) closed out their season with the
program's ninth consecutive Northeast-10 Conference Championship
after defeating the Southern N.H. Penmen (12-6, 9-1 Northeast-10
Conference), 17-10 on Sunday. Amanda McGeachey (Saco,
Maine/Thornton) took home Tournament Most Valuable Player honors
after registering 12 saves in the Skyhawks' win.
An aggressive defense and three timely goals from Southern N.H.'s
Laura Rotolo, Carole Lee and Nicole Downey helped the Penmen to an
early 3-1 lead. SNHU's advantage lasted deep into the first half as
goaltender Katie Clark collected five of her 13 total saves.
With 9:48 remaining in the opening the frame Stonehill's offense
took control. Liza Gross (Loudonville, N.Y./Shaker) was one of
three Skyhawks to add two goals before halftime to help the Purple
and White to a 10-3 advantage. Sophomore Jackie Ladino (North
Dartmouth, Mass./North Dartmouth) and junior Mary Maloney (Great
River, N.Y./Saint Anthony's) each add two goals, as well. Michelle
Kelly (Mendham, N.J./West Morris Mendham) added two scores to her
earlier marker to cap Stonehill's 9-0 run.
Senior Kristin Darrell (West Islip, N.Y./West Islip) scored during
a 4-1 run to open the second half and give Stonehill a 10-goal
advantage. Southern N.H.'s Lee narrowed the deficient to 15-7 with
three of the next four goals. After a late score from Stonehill's
Kelly, the Penmen's Rotolo, Julie Kraus and Libby Parent cut
Stonehill's lead to just seven. A final goal from Gross secured the
victory for the Skyhawks.
Kelly led the way for the Skyhawks with five goals and an assist
for six total points. Ladino, Gross and Darrell each claimed four
totals points and combined for nine of Stonehill's 17 goals.
Maloney, a junior, finished with three goals, while Christa LaRocco
(West Islip, N.Y./West Islip), a senior, registered three assists
in the win.
McGeachey stopped 12 shots on her way to claiming Tournament MVP.
The senior goaltender allowed just three goals on free-position
shots, including holding SNHU to a 2-6 mark in the second half.
McGeachey also was 6-7 on clear opportunities, claimed one ground
ball and caused a Southern N.H. turnover in net. Her 34 career
victories rank third on Stonehill's all-time list.
Darrell finished the year with 241 goals, 14 more than Erin
Acone's (2003-2006) second place mark (227). Her 309 career points
are third all-time in Stonehill College history.
Kelly, a junior, finished 2008 with a career high 91 points. She
will enter her senior year fourth on Stonehill's all-time scoring
list (165), tied for sixth on the all-time assists list (71), and
fifth in total points (236).