PROVIDENCE, R.I. - For the fourth time in the last five seasons, Plymouth State University and Western Connecticut State University will play for the Little East Conference (LEC) Women’s Lacrosse Championship Tournament title after winning their respective semifinal matchups Thursday. The Panthers defeated Eastern Connecticut State University, while the Wolves edged the University of Southern Maine.
Plymouth State will host Saturday’s tournament final at noon. The Panthers are in search of their third consecutive LEC tournament title and their 10th overall championship. WestConn is looking for its third LEC crown after winning back-to-back titles in 2021 and 2022.
No. 1 Plymouth State 14, No. 5 Eastern Connecticut 11
This was a back-and-forth contest from start to finish, with both teams exchanging scoring runs. Plymouth State went on a four-goal run to take a 9-6 lead in the third before Eastern Connecticut answered with a five goal surge to take an 11-9. Abby Parisi capped the run with three consecutive goals in a span of 4:09 in the fourth quarter.
That lead didn’t last long as Julia Donovan and Jenna Stowell scored back-to-back goals in a span of in 21 seconds to tie the game at 11 with 3:10 to go in the fourth. Morgan Cunningham buried what proved to be the game-winner with 2:39 remaining before Elle Moshier and Maddie Hunt closed out the scoring for the 14-11 final.
Moshier was scored a game-high five goals to lead PSU, while Donovan, Hunt and Stowell added two goals each. Margie Black totaled eight saves to earn the win in goal.
Avonlea LeBeau and Parisi scored four goals each to lead the Warriors, while Alexa Vizzini added two goals with one assist.
No. 2 Western Connecticut 11, No. 3 Southern Maine 10
The late game also saw both teams exchange scoring runs throughout the contest. Southern Maine scored three of the first four goals of the third quarter to take an 8-6 lead before a 5-1 WestConn surge put the Wolves in front for good. Savannah Kom capped the run with a man-up goal to make it 11-9 with 10:02 remaining, which proved to be the game-winner.
That score held until Eliza Pattershall brought the Huskies back within one with 2:42 to go, but USM was unable to get the equalizer. Cierra Hill secured the ensuing draw control for the Huskies before an Anna Byers turnover gave possession back to the Wolves with 1:10 left. Hill forced a turnover in the waning seconds, but USM was unable to get a final shot attempt before time expired.
Madison Ratchford led all players with five goals and one assist for six points to lead WestConn. Kom totaled three goals in the contest, while Faye Jung found the back of the net two times. Molly Bresnahan registered 10 saves to earn the decision in goal.
Hill and Pattershall scored three goals with one assist each to lead the USM attack. Lydia Laslavic had just four saves while taking the loss in goal.