BRISTOL, R.I. – The No. 2 seed Roger Williams University Women's Lacrosse team punched their ticket to the Conference of New England (CNE) Championship with a 12-10 semifinal win over No. 3 Johnson & Wales on Wednesday afternoon at Bayside Field.
The opening quarter was a back-and-forth struggle as Johnson & Wales struck first on a free-position goal from Sidney Mayers, but Roger Williams quickly responded as Jamie Anthony (Somers, Conn.) found the back of the net to even the score. The Hawks then took their first lead of the game when Lauren Canata (West Springfield, Mass.) converted off an assist from Allie Shamberger (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.), making it 2-1. The Wildcats answered midway through the quarter with a goal from Mila Kuilan to tie the game at 2-2.
Roger Williams took control in the second quarter with a strong offensive run. Johnson & Wales briefly regained the lead early on a goal from Riley Shepley, but Canata answered off an assist from Shamberger to even the score 3-3. After the Wildcats took a 4-3 lead, Molly Schmitz (Hamden, Conn.) tied the game once again before Anthony gave the Hawks the advantage. Miranda Hayes (South Burlington, Vt.) extended the lead with a goal off another Shamberger assist, before Shamberger added one of her own late in the quarter. Roger Williams posted a 7-4 lead going into the break.
The Hawks carried that momentum into the third quarter, extending the run with three more goals. Canata and Schmitz each added their second goals of the game and Shamberger added another tally as RWU pushed the advantage to 10-5 heading into the final period.
The Wildcats mounted a strong fourth-quarter push, scoring five goals with Sidney Mayers and Riley Shepley each scoring two and Kelsey Higgins scoring one to cut into the deficit. JWU trimmed the lead, but Roger Williams responded with two goals in the fourth to keep Johnson & Wales at bay and preserve the 12-10 victory.
Canata led all scorers with four goals, while Shamberger added two goals and six assists in a strong all-around performance. Anthony finished with three goals, Schmitz contributed two, and Hayes added a key goal during the second-quarter surge.
In the net for the Hawks, Aizza Chase (Cohasset, Mass.) saved 11 in the win. The defense was put to work as Grace Rocheleau (West Hartford, Conn.) picked up five ground balls and five of RWU's 13 caused turnovers in the game.
No. 2 Roger Williams will travel to face No. 1 Endicott in the Conference of New England Championship on Saturday, May 2 at 3pm.
