SALISBURY, Md. -- Second-ranked Salisbury used a three-goal spurt in the second half to break a 6-6 tie en route to a 10-7 victory over 20th-ranked Washington and Lee in the NCAA Women's Lacrosse Tournament on Saturday morning in Salisbury, Md.
The Seagulls opened the scoring as Ani Khatchatoorian found the net off an assist from Sue Ackerman just 1:46 into the game. However, the Generals scored the game's next three goals, including a goal and an assist from sophomore attacker Kelsi Robinson (West Chester, Pa./Westtown), for a 3-1 lead with 20:03 left in the opening period.
Stephanie Shores then ignited a four-goal spurt for SU at the 18:18 mark when she scored unassisted. W&L junior goalkeeper Sarah Tilbor (West Simsbury, Conn./Simsbury) was then assessed a yellow card at 16:20, forcing her to leave the field and give way to sophomore Ali Hillyard (Media, Pa./Episcopal) for three minutes. The Seagulls scored two goals during that stretch and another upon Tilbor's return to assume a 5-3 lead with 11:10 left in the contest. The Generals rebounded to score the final two goals of the half, including a goal and one assist from junior midfielder Megan Slosson (Cockeysville, Md./Maryvale Prep), to knot the score at 5-5 heading into the break.
The two teams exchanged goals in the opening 7:20 of the second stanza to make the score 6-6, but a Stephanie Shores goal and two tallies by Natalie Degele gave Salisbury a 9-6 advantage with 19:42 remaining. W&L sliced into the lead when Slosson scored unassisted at the 15:38 mark, but the Generals could not find the net again and the Seagulls added one more for good measure in advancing to the final eight of the tournament.
Slosson led the Generals with two goals and one assist, while Robinson and senior attacker Avery Lovejoy (Old Greenwich, Conn./Greenwich) posted one goal and one assist. Tilbor played 56:30 in goal, making 13 saves on the day.
Ackerman paced the Seagulls with two goals and three assists. Degele had three goals and Shores added two goals and one assist. Sonja Stuart played all 60 minutes in goal for SU, posting seven saves.
The loss ended Washington and Lee's season at 15-4 overall. Salisbury (19-1) advances to face either Nazareth or Colorado College for the right to play in the NCAA Final Four held in Geneva, N.Y.
SCORING:
W&L GOALS - Megan Slosson 2, Colleen Evans 1, Kelly Evans 1, Avery Lovejoy 1, Maggie Megear 1, Kelsi Robinson 1.
W&L ASSISTS - Avery Lovejoy 1, Kelsi Robinson 1, Megan Slosson 1.
SU GOALS - Natalie Degele 3, Sue Ackerman 2, Stephanie Shores 2, Jessica Chmielewski 1, Ani Khatchatoorian 1, Alexis Morrell 1.
SU ASSISTS - Sue Ackerman 3, Jessica Chmielewski 1, Stephanie Shores 1.
GOALTENDING:
Sarah Tilbor (W&L) 56:30, 8 GA, 13 Saves
Ali Hillyard (W&L) 3:30, 2 GA, 0 Saves
Sonja Stuart (SU) 60:00, 7 GA, 7 Saves
-- GENERALS --
