ALBANY, N.Y. – For the first time ever, the Vermont Catamounts are champions of America East women’s lacrosse!
Grace Giancola’s goal with 2:12 remaining in the fourth quarter gave the Catamounts a 12-11 victory over the top-seeded UAlbany Great Danes. The #AEWLAX champs will play in their first NCAA Tournament next week and will learn their draw Sunday night during the NCAA Selection Show.
The Great Danes scored five-straight goals to start the game led by junior Sarah Falk, who had a hat trick in just over five minutes of game action.
The Catamounts were down 6-2 and scored three unanswered to make the score 6-5 in the third quarter. First-Team All-Conference selection Taylor Mullen scored a woman-down goal and the Catamounts cut the deficit to one again later in the frame.
Junior McKenzie Ballard tied the game at 10-10 in the fourth quarter.
The Great Danes answered quickly as both teams went-back-and-forth setting up a thrilling finish with the score tied 11-11. Giancola beat the defense for her third goal of the game which proved to be the difference. She finished with a game-high four points and was named Most Outstanding Player.
All-Championship Team:
Vermont senior goalkeeper Sophie McLaughlin earned the conference’s Elite 18 award with a 3.98 GPA – the highest among championship game participants. McLaughlin majors in health sciences.
Visit Championship Central for box scores, highlights and recaps in addition to team information, tournament history and more.
Follow @AmericaEast and @AEGameDay on Twitter to get the real-time championship updates. Use the #AEChamps and #AEWLAX hashtags to join the conversation.
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