Women's lacrosse season ends with NCAA loss to Trinity
Fredonia State saw its 2014 women's lacrosse season come to an end Saturday with a 16-5 loss to No. 3 Trinity in the regional round of the NCAA Division III tournament.
The Blue Devils had several opportunities early, yet failed to convert on their scoring chances, while Trinity scored almost every chance it had. Caroline Hayes led the Bantams (17-2), champs of the New England Small College Athletic Conference, with four goals -- all in the first half. the Bantams led 11-1 at the break.
Marissa Cussins (Jr.; Corning, N.Y.) had three goals for the Blue Devils, who completed their season at 12-7. Kristie Kleine (Fr.; Cazenovia, N.Y.) and Juliana Kotas (Soph.; Lancaster, N.Y.) had one goal each. Katie Kleine (Jr.; Cazenovia, N.Y.) was credited with six draw controls and five ground balls, team highs in both categories.
Cussins scored the lone first-half goal for the Blue Devils. It came at the 14:39 and cut the deficit to 4-1. Cussins also scored two consecutive goals in the second half before Kristie Kleine made it 12-4, Trinity.
The Bantams (17-2) scored the next four goals and secured a spot in the NCAA regional final against host Gettysburg at 3 p.m. Sunday. It was their 13th straight win.
The three goals by Cussins gave her a team-high 58 goals, third most in program history. She also finished with 69 points, fourth most by a Blue Devil.
It was the final game for two Fredonia State seniors, defenders Chelsea Maderer (Orchard Park, N.Y.) and Mary Bruton (Palmyra, N.Y.). For Bruton, it was her team-record 72nd appearance.
In addition, head coach Chris Case concluded his stint as women's lacrosse coach in order to devote full-time duties to women's soccer. Case accumulated a 116-79 record in women's lacrosse over 12 seasons. His 116 wins is most by a Fredonia State women's lacrosse coach.
