YORK, PA – The top-seeded York College women's lacrosse team rolled to a 18-5 victory over Widener in the 2024 MAC Commonwealth tournament semifinals on a brilliantly sunny Wednesday afternoon in York.
The Spartans, who increase their Commonwealth win streak to 28 games will face third-seeded Stevenson in Saturday's league championship game.
York has now won nine straight as they improve to 12-6 overall. The Pride's season comes to a close with a mark of 8-10.
 
How It Happened
• The Spartans got off to a quick start with goals from Kate Feldman and Sydney Mentzer as York led 2-0 just over five minutes into the game. The Pride answered with two of the next three goals, cutting the Spartan lead to 3-2. Sofie Steel scored a free position goal on a rocket from the fan to put York on top 4-2 at the end of 15 minutes of play.
• The Steel goal with 10 seconds left in the first quarter kick started a 12-goal Spartan run that pushed the York lead to 15-2. York took advantage of a number of Widener fouls as three of the first four second quarter goals came on free position shots. Krista Yarusso started the second quarter scoring 45 seconds into the quarter. Lauren Gillies, Mentzer and Steel each had free position tallies to increase the lead to 8-2 with 12:18 remaining in the half. York closed out the quarter with goals from Zoe Kluegel, Gianna Huet, Feldman and Juliana Silvernale as York took the 10-goal lead to the half.
• York kept the run going early in the third as Madison Kurland finished a free position shot followed by a Jen Campbell power play free position shot for the Green and White. Kluegel scored at the 10:28 mark for the 15-2 lead. Widener finally found the back of the net with 6:47 left in the quarter to halt the big Spartan run. The Jamie Dehaven goal ended a streak of 24:51 of scoreless lacrosse for the Pride. Dehaven struck again with 4:11 remaining in the third to trim the Spartan lead to 15-4.
• The Green and White carried the play in the fourth as they closed out the Pride with three goals in the period. Yarusso, Huet and Katie Jeanes scored for the Green and White. The Pride got a final goal with 12 seconds left to provide for the final 18-5 margin of victory for the Green and White.
 
By the Numbers
The Spartans finished the game with a 31-16 margin in total shots and a 26-12 margin in shots on goal … Widener held a 14-9 advantage in ground balls … York was a little loose with the ball as they committed 15 turnovers while Widener only had 11 miscues … York was 14-for-15 in clears while Widener was 11-for-13 … the Spartan goalies had seven saves while the Widener netminders had eight saves.
 
Spartan Notes
The Spartans are now 7-0 all-time against Widener … York improves to 7-1 all-time in the MAC Commonwealth tournament as they have won five straight … York is now 3-0 against Widener in the MAC Tournament … York advances to their fourth straight MAC Commonwealth Championship game appearance as they have won two of the last three title games … overall, the Spartans will make their tenth conference championship game appearance … the Spartans will face Stevenson for the second time in school history in the Commonwealth championship game … York downed Stevenson 12-7 in the 2022 finals at Kinsley Field … the Spartans have reached double figures in goals in nine straight games while they have allowed just 44 goals over that same nine game stretch … York put 83.9% of their shots on goal in the win and that's their second-highest total of the year (84% at Haverford) … York converted a season-high six free position shots and now have 43 free position goals for the year … York is averaging 14 draw control wins per game over their last nine games … Zoe Kluegel led the way for the very balanced Green and White attack as she had three points on two goals and an assist … Gianna Huet, Kate Feldman, Jen Campbell, Krista Yarusso, Sofie Steel and Sydney Mentzer each had a pair of goals in the win … Sarah Christensen led the Spartan defense with two caused turnovers, three ground balls and four draw controls while she also had an assist … Christina Vendelis notched a trio of draw controls and also had a caused turnover.
 
Up Next
The Spartans will attempt to win their third consecutive MAC Commonwealth tournament title on Saturday afternoon as they host third-seeded Stevenson University in the championship game at Kinsley Field. Game time is set for 1:00 pm in York.