EWING, N.J. – The 2023 campaign wrapped up for the St. Mary's College of Maryland women's lacrosse team Saturday afternoon (May 13) in the first round of the NCAA Division III Women's Lacrosse Championship Tournament. St. Mary's College (11-8) dropped a 13-2 decision to No. 11 Messiah College (16-3) as Messiah doubled up the Seahawks on draw controls, 12-6.
 
The Seahawks conclude 2023 with their fourth straight winning record, a second straight United East Conference regular-season title, a second consecutive United East championship crown, and an NCAA Tournament appearance for the second season in a row.
 
How It Happened

• Messiah controlled the tempo in the opening half from the first whistle, jumping out to an 8-0 lead and winning seven of nine draws in the first quarter.
• After the Falcons extended their advantage to 10-0 in the second period to set off the running clock, junior attacker Bella Dunigan (Catonsville, Md./Catonsville) finished off a pass from sophomore midfielder Colin Horton (University Park, Md./Elizabeth Seton) at 4:29 for St. Mary's first goal of the game and to halt the running clock.
• Messiah went into halftime with an 11-1 margin as Rachel Delate tallied one with 12 ticks left.
• Only three shots found the back of the net in the second half as the Falcons scored the lone goal in the third and then each side notched a goal in the fourth. Senior attacker Erin Carmody (Olney, Md./Sherwood) scored for the Seahawks.
• St. Mary's picked up its offense over the final 30 minutes, outshooting Messiah, 15-8, but reliever Grace Hejeebu was up to the challenge, turning away five shots to keep St. Mary's at bay.

Inside the Box Score

• Messiah edged the Seahawks in shots for the game, 28-20, while turnovers (15 each) and ground balls (16 apiece) finished equal.
• St. Mary's was 0-for-4 on free position shots while the Falcons made 50-percent of their free position shots (1-2).

 
St. Mary's College Game Notes

• Five different Seahawks scooped up two ground balls while defenders Rachael Freeman (Baltimore, Md./Friends) and Kayla Kopf (Annapolis, Md./Annapolis) each caused two turnovers.
• Junior goalie Maddie Clemmer (Middletown, Pa./Middletown) made nine saves and picked up two loose balls in the loss.

 
Messiah Game Notes

• Makenzie Schnur had herself a game to lead the Falcons in the win, tallying a game-best eight points on four goals and four assists.
• Delate grabbed a game-best six draws and scored twice to help Messiah dominate possession.

Up Next for the Seahawks

• Season Complete

 
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