Championship Central (follow this link throughout the week for updated results, bracket, schedule ...)
KINGS POINT, N.Y. I USMMA scored nine first-period goals to help punch their ticket to the Skyline Women's Lacrosse Championship, defeating the St. Joseph's-Long Island, 21-6, on Thursday evening at Tomb Field.
The Mariners improve to 12-2 on the season, while the Golden Eagles end their season at 6-6.
Sophomore Leslie Wysong (above) enjoyed a tremendous night, setting new career highs with six goals and three assists, for nine points. Wysong also led the way for the Blue and Gray with a game-high six draw controls.
Senior Lauren Jablonowski tied Wysong for the team lead with nine points, scoring five goals and dishing out four assists. Freshman Reese Ripley set her own career high with six goals and added an assist. Sophomore Grace Picozzi was crucial defensively, with a team-best three ground balls and added five draw controls.
Sophomore goalie Karianna Eagle made eight saves with a .574 save percentage.
The Mariners started the Skyline semifinal with a remarkable offensive in the first quarter. Picozzi opened the action with a goal just shy of 60 seconds into the game, before Wysong scored twice to make it 3-0 Merchant Marine at the 9:47 mark.
Jablonowski scored her first goal of the night a couple of minutes after that, putting USMMA ahead by four. The frenetic pace slowed a bit with a nearly three minute scoreless drought, Jablonowski scored again to make it 5-0.
Kings Point closed the period with a flourish, pouring in four goals over the final 3:40. Ripley scored two of those four, with one apiece from Wysong and Jablonowski.
SJ-LI got their first goal of the evening quickly into the second quarter, but Leslie Wysong followed that up immediately with her own tally. That was part of a quick four-goal spur for USMMA as they pushed the lead to 13-1. The Golden Eagles battled their way to a couple of goals prior to the end of the frame, going to halftime with the Mariners on top 13-3.
Two early St. Joseph's goals in the third quarter saw them slice the deficit to single digits at 14-5. However, the Mariners outscored the Golden Eagles over the rest of the quarter, taking a 17-6 edge into the fourth period.
With a trip back to the Skyline title game on the line, USMMA ran through the tape. Merchant Marine slammed the door on SJ-LI with a 4-0 fourth quarter, for a final score of 21-6.
The Mariners play for their third conference crown in four years this Saturday, May 3rd, against Farmingdale State at Tomb Field.
-Courtesy of USMMA Sports Information