Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/8/22
From Press Release
A goal by Allison Drake 47 seconds into overtime lifted the Drexel women’s lacrosse team to 11-10 win against Towson for the CAA Championship on Sunday.
The title is the first conference championship for Drexel women’s lacrosse and earns the Dragons an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament, which begins on Friday, May 13. It is the second consecutive NCAA appearance for Drexel.
For their efforts, Drake, Zoe Bennett, Hayleigh Simpson, and Lucy Schneidereith were named to the All-Tournament Team. Scheneidereith earned Most Outstanding Player honors for a championship run where she scored six goals in the two games.
HIGHLIGHTS
Schneidereith led the way for Drexel with four goals in the clinching contest as the Dragons built their first half lead.
Karson Harris, Simpson, and Drake each had two tallies. Harris’ second goal of the day was her 62nd of the season, breaking her own team record for single-season goals.
Colleen Grady found the back of the net once and was instrumental in setting up the DU offense with four assists.
Drexel dominated the draw control circle, outdrawing Towson 18-7. Corinne Bednarik (Downingtown West) led the way with seven while Harris had six.
Bennett was locked in with 14 saves, her second-highest total of the season. Defender Belle McHugh (Academy of Notre Dame) had a groundball and a draw control for the Dragons.
FIRST QUARTER – Drexel 5, Towson 3
The Dragons jumped out on the board early and often as Harris, Drake, and a pair of goals from Schneidereith all found the back of the net in the first 5:29 of the game as Drexel went up 4-0. The Tigers rallied for three in a row, but DU got the third of the game from Schneidereith off a feed from Grady, going up 5-3 after one quarter.
SECOND QUARTER – Drexel 8, Towson 4
With momentum on their side following the late goal to end the previous period, Harris and Simpson posted their second goals of the game each, pushing the edge to 7-3. Drake followed with her first of the contest at the 5:03 mark on the free position, as Drexel opened an 8-3 lead. Towson scored once before the break as the Dragons took an 8-4 advantage into intermission.
THIRD QUARTER – Drexel 10, Towson 8
The Tigers closed the gap with the first two goals of the second half before Bennett came up with a big save on a free position attempt. On the ensuing offensive possession, Grady came up with an outstanding individual effort from the left side with 6:13 to go in the frame, putting Drexel back up by three. A pair of Towson goals made it a one score contest before Grady found Schneidereith cutting to the middle with seven seconds left. Schneidereith made the tough catch and scored, the third time on the day she and Grady linked up, as the Dragons took a 10-8 lead into the final 15 minutes.
FOURTH QUARTER – Drexel 10, Towson 10
The only two goals of the fourth came from Towson, the equalizer with 2:31 remaining, forcing overtime. Bennett stood tall in the frame and allowed DU to reach the extra session, making some key stops on free position attempts.
OVERTIME – Drexel 11, Towson 10
After winning the opening draw, Drexel earned a player-up advantage as a delay of game green card was assessed to the Tigers. The Dragons took advantage as Drake received a feed from Grady, shook her defender and sent the ball past the goalie to five Drexel its first women’s lacrosse championship.
UP NEXT
The Dragons find out their First Round NCAA Tournament opponent during the women’s lacrosse selection show, which will take place tonight at 9:00 and will be aired on ESPNU.
