Crusaders stand in way of Dolphins

Le Moyne women need to beat Holy Cross in play-in to be part of 16-team NCAAs.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
By Donnie Webb, Syracuse Post-Standard
Staff writer - (http://www.syracuse.com/)

Direct link: http://www.syracuse.com/sports/poststandard/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1146733448107300.xml&coll=1

They're in, but they're not in - not just yet.

The Le Moyne College women's lacrosse team has advanced to the brink of the NCAA Division I Tournament field of 16, but first it must deal with Holy Cross in a play-in game on Saturday.

Le Moyne is in the game by virtue of having won the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference title. Holy Cross got in by capturing its first Patriot League championship.

The Dolphins and Crusaders face one another at 2 p.m. Saturday at Worcester (Mass.) State College. The winner moves on to the NCAA Tournament. The field of 16 will be announced on Monday. The winner likely will earn a first-round match against a powerhouse such as Northwestern, Virginia or Georgetown.

Le Moyne head coach Lauren O'Connor said her team looks at the play-in game as an NCAA Tournament game: "It feels like we're going to the NCAA, although you're not technically in the tournament. Everything is being treated like we're there."

The Dolphins (15-3) have already set a school record for victories, and they went undefeated (7-0) in league play for the first time. They have won 11 of their last 12 games.

"We had some good games," O'Connor said of her team's beat-down of league rivals. "The closest game we had was a one-goal game where we hadn't gotten started (early in the season). Once we found our groove, nobody came very close to beating us."

Holy Cross (13-6) has one of the best goalkeepers in college lacrosse. Megan Orr is ranked No. 1 nationally in save percentage (.569). In 19 games, she has allowed 168 goals and made 221 saves. She's 15th nationally in goals-against with an average of 8.7 per game.

"She's got to be the best player on their team," O'Connor said. "She's the reason they beat Colgate (in the Patriot League title game)."

Le Moyne is ranked fourth nationally in scoring at 14.6 goals per game and fourth in scoring margin (6.4). The contest against the Crusaders will be on an AstroTurf Field, and O'Connor said that's a good thing.

"We're thrilled we're playing there," she said. "Our girls get to make the trip, which we actually prefer. We have a lot of fun."



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Crusaders stand in way of Dolphins Le Moyne women need to beat Holy Cross in play-in to be part of 16-team NCAAs. Thursday, May 04, 2006 By Donnie Webb, Syracuse Post-Standard Staff writer - (http://www.syracuse.com/) Direct link: http://www.syracuse.com/sports/poststandard/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1146733448107300.xml&coll=1 They're in, but they're not in - not just yet. The Le Moyne College women's lacrosse team has advanced to the brink of the NCAA Division I Tournament field of 16, but first it must deal with Holy Cross in a play-in game on Saturday. Le Moyne is in the game by virtue of having won the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference title. Holy Cross got in by capturing its first Patriot League championship. The Dolphins and Crusaders face one another at 2 p.m. Saturday at Worcester (Mass.) State College. The winner moves on to the NCAA Tournament. The field of 16 will be announced on Monday. The winner likely will earn a first-round match against a powerhouse such as Northwestern, Virginia or Georgetown. Le Moyne head coach Lauren O'Connor said her team looks at the play-in game as an NCAA Tournament game: "It feels like we're going to the NCAA, although you're not technically in the tournament. Everything is being treated like we're there." The Dolphins (15-3) have already set a school record for victories, and they went undefeated (7-0) in league play for the first time. They have won 11 of their last 12 games. "We had some good games," O'Connor said of her team's beat-down of league rivals. "The closest game we had was a one-goal game where we hadn't gotten started (early in the season). Once we found our groove, nobody came very close to beating us." Holy Cross (13-6) has one of the best goalkeepers in college lacrosse. Megan Orr is ranked No. 1 nationally in save percentage (.569). In 19 games, she has allowed 168 goals and made 221 saves. She's 15th nationally in goals-against with an average of 8.7 per game. "She's got to be the best player on their team," O'Connor said. "She's the reason they beat Colgate (in the Patriot League title game)." Le Moyne is ranked fourth nationally in scoring at 14.6 goals per game and fourth in scoring margin (6.4). The contest against the Crusaders will be on an AstroTurf Field, and O'Connor said that's a good thing. "We're thrilled we're playing there," she said. "Our girls get to make the trip, which we actually prefer. We have a lot of fun."