Brockport triumphs over Denison, 17-7, in second round of NCAA women's lacrosse playoffs
GRANVILLE, Ohio – The College at Brockport women's lacrosse team opened their 2017 NCAA Division III Tournament run on Sunday in the second round, making light work of Denison University, posting a 17- 7 win.
The Golden Eagles survive and advance with a record of 16-2 on the year, setting a new program mark for wins in a season. The Big Red finish the 2017 season with a mark of 15-4.
The Green and Gold saw the Big Red net a goal to start the contest, but stayed composed, posting a 6-0 run to take a commanding 6-1 lead. Kelly Wall provided the spark on four of the scores, hooking up with Taylor Thomas for one goal and netting the other three unassisted. Heather Conklin worked in a pair of goals herself, with one off a Thomas set up as the Golden Eagles posted an authoritative 6-1 lead.
With two more Denison goals in the eighth and seventh minute of the first, Brockport proved they weren't done, netting five scores before the close of the half. Jessica Boddery worked into the scoring column, burying a Cassandra Minerd set up, while Conklin chipped in three scores and Wall added one for the 11-3 lead at the break.
The second half got started much like the first, with Denison opening the scoring with a lone goal. The score only added kindling to the Brockport offensive fire, as Andrea Zlinsky worked into the scoring column for the answer. Boddery added her second goal, while Samantha Dooling finished a Dana Kiselica set up. Wall netted her final score of the contest at the 20-minute mark, lifting the Green and Gold 15-4.
Brockport saw the Big Red sneak in a score, but Katie Curran and Hannah Cullen each netted their first goals of the contest to post an answer. Denison added a pair of goals to close the contest, but it was all Brockport as the Green and Gold held on for the strong 17-7 win.
Brockport led every statistical category, with a 31-19 edge in shots, a 26-19 lead in ground balls, a 13-11 advantage in draw controls and went 22-of-26 on clears. The Golden Eagles also forced 17 Big Red turnovers.
Curran, Wall and Minerd each chipped in on the defensive end, with two caused turnovers apiece. Curran and Minerd also led the way in draw controls, with each snagging four wins on the day. Zlinsky, Curran and Minerd all added three ground balls.
Sara Shaddock stood tall in goal for the Green and Gold all 60 minutes in rout to her eighth win over the season, making three saves on the day.
The Golden Eagles will face the winners of the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) semi-final rematch, as Colby College and Middlebury College met in the second round on Sunday. Middlebury prevailed in the rematch, 10-9, and will meet the Golden Eagles with the site to be determined. The NCAA Third Round will take place on May 20, with the location to be determined.
Be sure to stay up to date on all of your Golden Eagle scores and awards by following @BportAthletics on Twitter and by liking the "Brockport Golden Eagles" Facebook page.
