Box Score SALISBURY, Md. – The #13 York College women's lacrosse team came up short on Saturday afternoon in the Capital Athletic Conference Championship, falling 6-3 to #8 Salisbury University at Sea Gull Stadium.
After falling behind 1-0 eight minutes into the game, the Spartans (13-5) responded less than three minutes later with a tying goal by senior captain Sarah Castle (Annapolis, Md. / Annapolis Area Christian). Castle sliced through the Sea Gull defense and finished on a high shot for the equalizer.
York had chances to take the lead with two free-position opportunities, but the conference's top net-minder Gianna Falcone denied York on both attempts. The Spartans also had a pair of free-position shots prior to their first goal, but a save by Falcone and hit post prevented the Spartans from converting on those chances.
Due to the missed opportunities by York, the door remained open for Salisbury (14-3) and the Sea Gulls took advantage. Bethany Baer connected on a tic-tac pass with Gabbi Nieves in front of the net who finished for the go-ahead goal with 10:21 left in the first half. But like before, York responded with a goal in a timely manner to once again tie the score. This time it was Allison Kolacy (Rockaway, N.J. / Morris Knolls) who tallied the equalizer as she wrapped around from behind the net and caught Falcone off guard with a low shot from the left post with 8:28 left to play in the half.
In the time remaining in the first half, it was the goalies who stepped up for their teams as they combined for four saves on five shots on goal. Spartan net-minder Rachel Donovan (Ellicott City, Md. / Howard) denied the Sea Gulls from close range twice during that span and finished the first half with four total saves.
With time winding down in the first half, it seemed as though the game would remain tied heading into halftime until a turnover by York with two minutes to go gave the possession back to Salisbury. The Sea Gulls quickly worked through their offensive sets and Baer tallied the go-ahead goal from the close right wing with 55 seconds left in the first half.
The Gulls carried the momentum to end the first half into the second half as they tacked on two goals within the first six minutes of the half to take a 5-2 lead. Salisbury then gained back possession shortly after their fifth goal and ran nearly eight minutes of off the clock. The Sea Gulls seemed content to run through their offensive sets and not force the issue as they backed out of two free position attempts, refusing to take a shot.
York eventually got the ball back and looked to get back on the board on the ensuing possession. The Spartans had a great look at a scoring chance as Kolacy slipped a pass through traffic to a cutting Katherine Burk (Media, Pa. / Strath Haven) but once again Falcone came up with a big save to deny York a goal.
The Spartans again had chances on their next possession to cut into the Salisbury lead. However, a missed opportunity on a free-position shot and a hit crossbar prevented any damage to be caused by York and allowed Salisbury to capitalize once again with a goal to go ahead 6-2.
York would get back on the board and break the second-half scoring drought when Castle cut through the middle of the Sea Gull defense, dodging defenders on her way to her second goal of the game and her team-leading 29th of the season. York mounted one last attempt to climb back into the game on a free-position attempt, but once again Falcone came up with another save to hold the Spartans at bay.
With the win, the Sea Gulls claim their 13th straight CAC title and their 15th overall. The Spartans will wait to see if they will be moving on to the NCAA Tournament after missing out on the automatic-qualifying bid. The selection committee will announce its field of 36 teams on Sunday at 9:30 p.m. Check back to ycpspartans.com for links and information related to a potential NCAA berth.
Photo courtesy of David Sinclair
