Top Seeded Women’s Lacrosse Falls 13-12 MASCAC Championship Game

Top Seeded Women’s Lacrosse Falls 13-12 MASCAC Championship Game

Framingham, Mass. – Senior Elizabeth Novoni (Mansfield, Mass.) scored with 50 seconds on the clock as the third seed Westfield State University Owls defeated top seed Framingham State University 13-12 in the championship game of the 2019 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Women's Lacrosse Tournament this afternoon at Maple Street Field.

THE BASICS:

- Score:  Westfield State 13, Framingham State 12

- Records: Framingham State (15-4), Westfield State (11-9)

Location:  Maple Street Field – Framingham, Mass.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

  • With the victory, the Owls receive the MASCAC's automatic bid to the 2019 NCAA Division III Women's Lacrosse Championship Tournament. Pairings will be announced during the selection show on NCAA.com on Sunday night at 9:30 p.m.  
  • Senior goalie Maria Woodall (Norfolk, Mass.) earned tournament MVP honors for the Owls after registering 14 saves including a save with 15 seconds remaining in the game to secure the victory for the Owls.
  • In a closely contested contest, the Owls took a 3-1 lead just over ten minutes into the game.  The Rams cut the gap to one when junior Grace Gamache (Dartmouth, Mass.) converted a free position shot, but the Owls pushed the lead back to three (5-2) after goals from senior Sydney Lambert (Hanover, Mass.) and junior Sam Donohoe (Pepperell, Mass.).
  • The Rams cut the deficit back to one (5-4) on a tally by sophomore Alissa Marino (Trumbull, Conn.), but Owls pushed the lead back three on a goal from Novoni with just over four minutes remaining. 
  • The Ram closed the first half with back-to-back goals from junior Nicole Pacheco (Woburn, Mass.) and Marino to head to the half down one, 8-7.
  • The second half mirrored the first with the Owls pushing the lead back to three, 10-7, just under nine minutes into the frame.
  • The Rams answered with a 4-0 run taking their first lead of the game, 11-10, with 8:34 on the clock.  Junior Morgan Begley (Milton, Mass.) tallied twice on the spurt and Marino and Gamache each scored off a feed from the other.
  • Westfield's Alexa Tonelli (Shrewsbury, Mass.) converted a free position shot with 6:39 on the clock tying the game and Navoni put the Owls back on top 12-11 with just under six to play.
  • Sophomore Hanna McMahon (Watertown, Mass.) scored unassisted for the Rams at 4:37 tying the game.
  • In the closing minute, the Owls had a free position opportunity and senior Lucy Barrett (Williamstown, Mass.) tried to send a pass across, but the pass was deflected.  Navoni was there for the loose ball and found the back of the net for the 13-12 lead with 50 ticks on the clock.
  • The Rams controlled the ensuing draw and called timeout. After the timeout, McMahon had a good look at the net but Woodall made the save securing the victory for the Owls.
  • Senior Indigo Fox Tree-McGrath (Bedford, Mass.) took the loss for the Rams in net despite making 10 saves.
  • Marino finished the game with four goals and an assist for the Rams, while Gamache finished with two goals and three helpers.
  • Navoni finished the contest with four goals for the Owls, while Lambert tallied three with an assist.
  • The Owls have won three straight MASCAC Tournament Titles and Woodall has been selected the tournament MVP after each one.