University of Massachusets Athletics
Sunday, May 7
Philadelphia, Pa.
12 p.m.
University of Massachusetts
16-3
13
vs
12
Richmond
14-6
1
2
F
Richmond
8
4
12
Massachusetts
6
7
13
Women’s Lax Wins Ninth Consecutive A-10 Title
May 07, 2017 | Women's Lacrosse
Minutewomen battle Richmond for 13-12 championship win.
PHILADELPHIA – For the ninth straight year, the UMass women's lacrosse team was crowned champion of the Atlantic 10 after a 13-12 win over Richmond in the league title game on Sunday afternoon at Sweeney Field. The Spiders took the early momentum in the game before the Minutewomen were able to battle back in the second half with senior defender Sarah Crowley scoring the game-winning goal with 3:15 remaining.
The victory advances UMass (16-3) to the NCAA Championship for the ninth straight year (12th overall). The Minutewomen reached the NCAA Elite Eight last season. The A-10 Championship title marked the 10th overall for the program.
Hannah Murphy was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament joining Crowley on the All-Tournament Team. Kaitlyn Cerasi, Callie Santos, and Kiley Anderson were all named to the All-Tournament Team as well.
Santos led the comeback in Sunday's title game with four goals and an assist. Murphy added a goal, 12 draw controls two caused turnovers, and four groundballs. Holly Turner scored a pair of goals, while Cerasi had a goal and a team-high three assists.
Lauren Hiller earned the win in goal making seven saves including a pair of big stops in the final two minutes of play to preserve the one-goal lead.
Richmond's Sam Geiersbach led all players with six points in the game on three goals and three assists. Kim Egizi and Kathleen Berkery each had three as well to lead the Spiders (14-6). Megan Gianforte was strong in cage for Richmond in all three of their tournament saves making 12 on Sunday.
The Spiders were upset minded from the beginning of the game holding a 4-1 lead over the first 19 minutes of play.
The Minutewomen gained momentum with four goals in a six minute stretch which included a pair from Santos to tie the game 6-6 with 2:34 left in the first half.
Richmond, however, scored twice in the final minute of the stanza taking an 8-6 lead into intermission.
The second half saw UMass regain the momentum scoring the first three after play resumed. Santos, Anderson and Cerasi all notched goals giving the Minutewomen their first lead of the afternoon 9-8 with 23:30 to go.
After both teams traded goals, Richmond ripped off a three-goal run capped by Geiersbach scoring an unassisted goal at the 12:22 mark.
Santos' fourth of the day pulled the Minutewomen back within one before a rolling snipe by Holly Turner tied the game for the fifth time with 7:05 remaining – just 35 seconds after Santos' goal.
From there, the UMass defense clamped down forcing a 90-second possession clock violation which led to Crowley going coast-to-coast for the game-winning score. Hiller then made a pair of saves in the final two minutes, including one on the doorstep with two seconds on the clock, to preserve the win.
For complete coverage of the UMass women's lacrosse team, follow the Minutewomen on Twitter (@UMassLacrosse), Facebook (@UMassWLacrosse) and Instagram (@UMassLacrosse) as well as online at www.UMassAthletics.com.
2017 NCAA Division I Women's Lacrosse Championship:
The University of Massachusetts and Gillette Stadium will host the 2017 NCAA Division I Women's Lacrosse Championship weekend on Friday, May 26 and Sunday, May 28. The women's championship weekend will be hosted in conjunction with the Divisions I, II, and III men's championships. Ticket, hospitality, reunion opportunities and fan activity information is available at www.ncaa.com/lacrosse.
The victory advances UMass (16-3) to the NCAA Championship for the ninth straight year (12th overall). The Minutewomen reached the NCAA Elite Eight last season. The A-10 Championship title marked the 10th overall for the program.
Hannah Murphy was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament joining Crowley on the All-Tournament Team. Kaitlyn Cerasi, Callie Santos, and Kiley Anderson were all named to the All-Tournament Team as well.
Santos led the comeback in Sunday's title game with four goals and an assist. Murphy added a goal, 12 draw controls two caused turnovers, and four groundballs. Holly Turner scored a pair of goals, while Cerasi had a goal and a team-high three assists.
Lauren Hiller earned the win in goal making seven saves including a pair of big stops in the final two minutes of play to preserve the one-goal lead.
Richmond's Sam Geiersbach led all players with six points in the game on three goals and three assists. Kim Egizi and Kathleen Berkery each had three as well to lead the Spiders (14-6). Megan Gianforte was strong in cage for Richmond in all three of their tournament saves making 12 on Sunday.
The Spiders were upset minded from the beginning of the game holding a 4-1 lead over the first 19 minutes of play.
The Minutewomen gained momentum with four goals in a six minute stretch which included a pair from Santos to tie the game 6-6 with 2:34 left in the first half.
Richmond, however, scored twice in the final minute of the stanza taking an 8-6 lead into intermission.
The second half saw UMass regain the momentum scoring the first three after play resumed. Santos, Anderson and Cerasi all notched goals giving the Minutewomen their first lead of the afternoon 9-8 with 23:30 to go.
After both teams traded goals, Richmond ripped off a three-goal run capped by Geiersbach scoring an unassisted goal at the 12:22 mark.
Santos' fourth of the day pulled the Minutewomen back within one before a rolling snipe by Holly Turner tied the game for the fifth time with 7:05 remaining – just 35 seconds after Santos' goal.
From there, the UMass defense clamped down forcing a 90-second possession clock violation which led to Crowley going coast-to-coast for the game-winning score. Hiller then made a pair of saves in the final two minutes, including one on the doorstep with two seconds on the clock, to preserve the win.
For complete coverage of the UMass women's lacrosse team, follow the Minutewomen on Twitter (@UMassLacrosse), Facebook (@UMassWLacrosse) and Instagram (@UMassLacrosse) as well as online at www.UMassAthletics.com.
2017 NCAA Division I Women's Lacrosse Championship:
The University of Massachusetts and Gillette Stadium will host the 2017 NCAA Division I Women's Lacrosse Championship weekend on Friday, May 26 and Sunday, May 28. The women's championship weekend will be hosted in conjunction with the Divisions I, II, and III men's championships. Ticket, hospitality, reunion opportunities and fan activity information is available at www.ncaa.com/lacrosse.
Team Stats
UR
UMASS
Shots
27
34
Turnovers
16
14
Caused Turnovers
6
12
Draw Controls
11
16
Free-Position Shots
3
6
Ground Balls
12
19
Game Leaders
Players
G
4
A
1
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
2
CT
1
G
2
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
0
CT
1
G
2
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
0
CT
0
G
1
A
3
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
1
CT
0
Players Mentioned
M
/ Women's LacrosseA
/ Women's Lacrosse
M
/ Women's Lacrosse
GK
/ Women's Lacrosse
M
/ Women's LacrosseA
/ Women's LacrosseA
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