Women’s Lax Advances to NCAA 2nd-Round With 8-6 Win Over Lasell

Written by Andrew Capitelli (SJC-LI Sports Information)

Ewing, NJ| Senior Heather Ferchland scored three goals as the St. Joseph's College (L.I.) women's lacrosse team defeated Lasell College 8-6 in the first round of the NCAA Division III Tournament Saturday afternoon in Ewing, NJ. With the win the Golden Eagles extend their program-best winning streak to 12 games, improve to 14-4 on the season and will face host TCNJ in second round action on Sunday.

Lasell recorded the contest's first tally 5:11 into regulation when Taylor Yandow tallied an unassisted mark, but SJC responded with three consecutive goals over the next 13 minutes (two goals from Ferchland, one from Tricia Barrett) to build a two-goal lead (3-1) at 9:52.

Within the final three minutes of the first half, the Lasers strung together their own 3-0 run with marks at 2:58, 1:11 and 00:27 to take a one-goal advantage (4-3) into the break.

With the game up for grabs, the Golden Eagles seized the opportunity to pull ahead early with a Kristin Carroll tally 2:40 into the half to knot the game up at four. Two additional goals from Jenna Kelleher (26:48) and Barrett (26:00) in quick succession inched SJC out in front, and a score at 12:19 from Carroll increased the Golden Eagle lead to three goals (7-4).

Less than six minutes later, Lasell ended St. Joseph's 4-0 run with a pair of Yandow tallies at 6:59 and 5:46 to bring the game back to within one goal (7-6), but a crucial score from Ferchland with 5:17 to play put the game out of reach for Lasell as SJC claimed the 8-6 win.

The victory marks the second-straight season in which the women's lacrosse team has earned an NCAA first round victory. In 2015, SJC fell to Trinity (Conn.) in the second round after edging Keene St. in round one.

In addition to her three tallies, Ferchland's five draw controls were a game-high. Caroll and Barrett each went for a pair of goals with the latter also collecting two draw controls.

Freshman keeper Lindsay Ramos was stellar between the pipes, making 10 saves on 16 shots. Lasell's Bridget Delaney recorded seven saves on 15 shots.

SJC's second round match with TCNJ will start at 1:00 PM tomorrow (May 15). Live stats will be available here.