DECATUR, Ala. — The No. 3 SCAD Savannah women's lacrosse team punched its ticket to the NAIA National Championship game on Wednesday evening, defeating No. 2 University of the Cumberlands 14-7 in the national semifinals.
RECORDS: The Bees improve to 14-3 on the season and advance to the national title game, while the Patriots' season comes to a close.
HOW IT HAPPENED: SCAD set the tone early in the highly anticipated top-three matchup, coming out firing in the first quarter. The Bees' offense exploded for six goals in the opening 15 minutes, establishing a commanding lead right out of the gate.
The Bees kept the momentum rolling in the second quarter, adding two more goals to their tally before the halftime break.
In the second half, SCAD maintained complete control of the game. The offense remained consistent, finding the back of the net three times in the third quarter and adding three final goals in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach. The SCAD defense was stout throughout the contest, limiting the potent Cumberlands attack to just seven total goals to secure the dominant 14-7 victory.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Maddie Krohn powered the SCAD offense with a team-high five goals on seven shots, while adding three draw controls and two ground balls.
- Karley Holland was a major offensive force, netting four goals and contributing two caused turnovers on the defensive end.
- Ellen Benintendi dominated the center circle with a game-high 11 draw controls, while scoring two goals on nine shots.
- Annise Berkeley operated as an elite facilitator, handing out a team-high four assists and securing three draw controls and two caused turnovers.
- Kellen Berkeley was highly efficient, scoring two goals on just two shots.
- The Bees defense had a stellar evening holding the Patriots to their lowest score since their 12-6 loss to Keiser University in 2021.
- Defensively, Riley O'Keefe and Mollie Geiger led the unit by recording three caused turnovers each.
- Goalkeeper Chloe Zundel earned the win with a complete 60-minute performance in the cage, recording eight saves to shut down the Patriots.
WHAT'S NEXT? The No. 3 Bees advance to the NAIA Women's Lacrosse National Championship game, where they will take on No. 1 Benedictine College.
