Six-Goal Run Propels Stony Brook to Back-to-Back CAA Women’s Lacrosse Titles
Miles McQuiggan
STONY BROOK, N.Y. (May 4, 2024) – Stony Brook used a six-goal run in the second half to get past a stellar effort from Drexel and win its second straight CAA Women’s Lacrosse Championship, 9-6, on Saturday afternoon on Long Island.
Stony Brook (17-2) trailed 5-3 midway through the third quarter before scoring the next six goals to grab control of the contest and secure a spot in its 11
th consecutive NCAA Tournament. The Seawolves have won the last 10 conference title games for which they have been eligible – eight in the America East (2013-21) and two in the CAA (2023, 2024).
Ellie Masera scored a game-high three goals for Stony Brook and earned Most Outstanding Player honors for the Championship with 11 points over the two games.
Kaylin Hart and
Morgan Mitchell also had multi-point afternoons for the Seawolves.
Avery Hines recorded five caused turnovers and four ground balls, while
Charlotte Verhulst’s seven draw controls helped Stony Brook to a 12-5 advantage.
Drexel (13-5) scored three of the game’s first four goals – with
Kate Marano factoring into all three – and led 3-2 at the half behind 10 saves from
Jenika Cuocco, who finished the day with 17 stops. Marano would finish the day with two goals and two assists, while
Allison Drake also scored twice.
Drexel pushed the lead to 5-3 on a
Bridget Finley goal with 9:41 to go in the third quarter before a 6-0 Stony Brook run over the following 15 minutes – with the six goals coming from the sticks of five different players – put the hosts in front for good. Masera started the scoring in the stretch before goals from Hart, Verhulst, Masera,
Erin MacQuarrie, and Mitchell made it 9-5 Stony Brook with 11:58 to play.
Stony Brook was playing in its second straight CAA title game since joining the league; Drexel appeared in the conference final for the third time in four years. The win was Stony Brook’s fourth over a team in the top 25 of the RPI (Syracuse, Drexel, Stanford, Drexel); the Dragons boast two of their own (Penn State, Navy). The Seawolves and Dragons both head into Selection Sunday with top-15 scoring defenses.
The 15 combined goals in the title game are the fewest since Towson defeated Hofstra, 9-4, to win the 2013 championship and are the fewest in a CAA final in the shot-clock era.
Both teams will await their NCAA Tournament matchups and destinations during the NCAA Women’s Lacrosse Selection Show on Sunday at 9 p.m. on ESPN2.
2024 CAA Women’s Lacrosse Championship
Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium – Stony Brook, N.Y.
Thursday, May 2 – Semifinals
No. 1 Stony Brook 17, No. 4 Elon 4
No. 2 Drexel 18, No. 3 Hofstra 9
Saturday, May 4 – Final
No. 1 Stony Brook 9, No. 2 Drexel 6
All-Tournament Team
Ellie Masera, Stony Brook (Most Outstanding Player)
Kailyn Hart, Stony Brook
Clare Levy, Stony Brook
Charlotte Verhulst, Stony Brook
Corinne Bednarik, Drexel
Jenika Cuocco, Drexel
Camryn Ryan, Drexel
Kailee Follette, Elon
MJ Santa Barbara, Elon
Kristen Redding, Hofstra
Kerry Walser, Hofstra
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