DECATUR, Ala. — The No. 3 SCAD Savannah women's lacrosse team kept its national championship hopes alive on Monday evening, defeating No. 6 Marian University 14-10 in the NAIA National Championship Quarterfinals.
RECORDS: The Bees improve to 13-3 on the season and advance to the national semifinals, while the Knights' season comes to a close with a 13-4 record.
HOW IT HAPPENED: The quarterfinal matchup started as a back-and-forth battle, with both highly ranked offenses clicking early. The teams traded blows in a competitive first quarter, ending the opening 15 minutes locked in a 4-4 tie.
SCAD began to gain an edge in the second quarter. The Bees' offense found a rhythm, netting three goals, while the defense tightened up to hold the Knights to just two. The effort allowed SCAD to take a narrow 7-6 advantage into the halftime break.
The third quarter proved to be the decisive frame for the Bees. Coming out of the halftime break, SCAD's offense erupted for five goals to break the game open. Meanwhile, the defensive unit remained disciplined, once again limiting Marian to just two goals in the period, extending the SCAD lead to 12-8.
In the final quarter, SCAD effectively managed the clock and matched Marian goal-for-goal. Both teams found the back of the net twice in the fourth, including a late dagger from
Ellen Benintendi (assisted by
Kellen Berkeley), allowing the Bees to secure the 14-10 victory and punch their ticket to the next round.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Ellen Benintendi put on a star studded performance with a team high of nine points coming on six goals and three assists. She also led the Bees in draw controls and caused turnovers with five each.
- Annise Berkeley notched a four point game on a team high three assists and a goal.
- Karley Holland and Lilah Herold both found the back of the cage.
- McKinsey Brown rounded out the offensive leaders with three points on two assists and a goal.
- Maddy Hahn led the Bees in ground balls scooping up seven.
- The Bees defense put the pressure on the Knights forcing 30 turnovers.
- Goalkeeper Chloe Zundel earned the win, recording six saves in a near full game effort.
WHAT'S NEXT? The No. 3 Bees advance to the NAIA National Championship Semifinals to take on No. 2 University of the Cumberlands at 7 p.m. CT on Wednesday, May 13.
