WDIA Tournament Coverage - Lacrosse Magazine

May. 9, 2008

Press Release is courtesy of Lacrosse Magazine online

WDIA: Cal Poly, CSU in Final

Cal Poly aims for eighth straight title

DENVER - Cal Poly worked its magic one more time, defeating top-seeded and unbeaten UC Santa Barbara 11-10 in overtime in the semifinals of the US Lacrosse Women's Division Intercollegiate Associates National Championship at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

Cal Poly will meet Colorado State in the championship game on Saturday at noon at Invesco Field at Mile High in a game that will be televised on a tape-delayed basis by CBS College Sports. CSU beat Colorado 11-6 in the semifinals.

Cal Poly has never lost a game in the US Lacrosse WDIA championships, having won all seven championships held since the inaugural event in 2001. The Mustangs 28th consecutive WDIA victory didn't come easily.

UCSB took an 8-7 lead on a goal Ashley Antoon-Algieri with 2:16 remaining in regulation, but Cal Poly's Bonnie Burtis scored with just seven seconds remaining to force overtime.

Hayley Saxton gave Cal Poly a 9-8 lead in the first overtime period, but UCSB's Katie Moran answered to tie the game again. Saxton then scored as the horn expired of the first overtime period to give the Mustangs a 10-9 lead.

Allegra Cabellon scored with 2:06 left in the second overtime period to stretch Cal Poly's lead to 11-9. UCSB's Kristyn Gherardi scored just 24 seconds later to pull the Gauchos to within one, but they were unable to get another shot off and Cal Poly won 11-10. The victory avenged two previous losses to UCSB, including a 12-11 overtime loss in the Western Women's Lacrosse League championship.

Colorado State had beaten Colorado twice earlier this season and jumped out of the gates to take a 6-1 halftime lead. The Buffaloes got back into it, scoring the first three goals of the second half to get within 6-4, but could get no closer. Andee Barocas, Katie Nepil and Erin O'Brien each had two goals for CSU. Colorado was led by Jody Weisenhorn, Allison Scholbe and Maia McPherson with two goals each.

Colorado State beat Cal Poly 3-1 in a regular-season matchup on Feb. 17.

3rd place game: Colorado 12, UCSB 10: Colorado raced out to an 8-1 lead and held off a second half comeback to defeat UCSB 12-10. UCSB scored four straight goals to pull within 11-9 with 8:51 remaining, but Amy Long scored for Colorado to stop the streak and put the game out of reach. Jody Weisenhorn led the Buffaloes with five goals, including the first three goals of the second half. Sam Lutz and Ashley Anton-Algieri led UCSB with three goals each.

5th place game: Pittsburgh 13, Michigan 11: Hilary Engel capped off her outstanding tournament with a five-goal performance to lead Pitt to a 13-11 victory over Michigan. The Panthers also got four goals from Katie Wheeler and 19 saves from goalie Lauren Masciantonio. Ashley Steitz led Michigan with four goals.

7th place game: Santa Clara 12, Lindenwood 8: Renee Eligio made 19 saves to shut down the Lindenwood offense and lead Santa Clara to a 12-8 victory. Lindsay Campbell had five goals for Santa Clara while Jackie Noble led Lindenwood with four.

11th place game: Georgia 17, Army 15 (OT): Georgia scored two goals in the final 13 seconds of the first overtime period to beat Army 17-15. The Black Knights rallied from a 15-10 deficit, tying the game 15-15 with four seconds left on Mary Katherine O'Rourke's seventh goal. Angela Alfano and Lindsey Gipson scored in overtime for the Bulldogs. Bethany Kotun led Georgia with five goals, while O'Rourke's seven paced Army. Jenna Burneskis added two goals and six assists for Army.

13th place game: UCLA 14, Minnesota 6: UCLA closed the tournament with two straight victories to finish in 13th place. Sarah Strock had four goals and two assists to pace the Bruins offense while Emily Beugelmans made 13 saves. Morgan Paldron and Kimberly Sauer each had two goals for Minnesota.

15th place game: Michigan State 14, Texas A&M 10: Michelle Signorello scored five goals to lead Michigan State past Texas A&M. Rachel Rideout added three goals while Lisa Raines led Texas A&M with three.

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