WDIA Tournament Coverage - Lacrosse Magazine

May. 7, 2008

Press Release is courtesy of US Lacrosse - Lacrosse Magazine Online

WDIA: Top Eight Seeds Advance to Quarterfinals

Home state schools advance

May 7, 2008

DENVER - The top eight seeds advanced into the quarterfinal round of the US Lacrosse Women's Division Intercollegiate Associates National Championship after first round games on Wednesday at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. The event features the top 16 women's college club teams from across the country and wraps up on Saturday at noon with the championship game at Invesco Field at Mile High.

The closest game of the day came in the 8-9 game, with Lindenwood edging UCLA 11-10 behind five goals from freshman Lacey Vatland. Vatland's free position goal at the seven-minute mark broke a 10-10 tie and Lindenwood goalie Amanda Shapiro came up with a big save with just over four minutes to go. The Lions then held on to the ball for the final four minutes of the game to run out the clock. Shapiro finished with 11 saves. Jane Jun and Hayley Wheeler led UCLA with three goals each.

Boston College hung tough with top-seeded UCSB, but the Gauchos prevailed 12-8 behind three goals from Maggie Aker. After BC's Allie Fishbone scored to cut the UCSB lead to 4-3 late in the first half, the Gauchos reeled off three goals in the final two minutes of the half to take control.

Second-seeded Colorado State rolled past Minnesota 17-8 behind a seven-point morning from Lisa Long. Long had four goals and three assists and Lindsay Brown added three goals. Brooke Lewis made eight first half saves, allowing just one goal, as the Rams jumped on top 10-1 at the break. Cherice Mahal led Minnesota with three goals.

Third-seeded Colorado poured in 15 first-half goals on the way to a 22-7 victory over Army. Nine different CU players scored goals, led by Amber Lister and Kaitlin Moore with four each. Army got two goals each from Jacqueline Uhorchak, Samantha Nicoll and Elizabeth Small.

Fourth-seeded Michigan overcame a three-goal second-half spurt by Georgia to beat the Bulldogs 13-9. Trailing 12-6, Georgia scored three straight to pull within 12-9 with 10:11 remaining, but was unable to score again. Rachel Lary led Michigan with four goals while Natalie Galvin had four for Georgia.

Seven-time defending champion Cal Poly is only the fifth seed in this year's event, but the Mustangs rolled over Michigan State 16-5. Bonnie Burtis had three goals for Cal Poly, which jumped out to an 8-1 halftime lead. Five different players scored for Michigan State.

Sixth-seeded Santa Clara used a dominating defensive effort to beat Texas A&M 15-4. Santa Clara goalie Renee Eligio made 16 saves as the Broncos pulled away from a 7-4 halftime lead. Claire O'Leary led the Santa Clara offense with five goals while four different Aggies scored goals.

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