#1 Farmingdale State - 17, #4 Kean University - 9
Farmingdale, N.Y. - The Farmingdale State women's lacrosse team advanced to the Skyline Conference Finals after this afternoons 17-9 victory over Kean University.
The Rams (15-2) opened up a 5-1 lead in the first 5:09 before back-to-back scores by Kean (13-6) senior midfielder Lindsey Cannon (Delran, N.J.) cut the deficit to 5-3. With 12:16 left in the first half, sophomore midfielder Alyssa Handel (Medford, N.Y.) scored off the pass from senior defender Jillian Pironti (Seaford, N.Y.) to put Farmingdale State back up three, 6-3. Sophomore attack Nicole Marzocca (West Babylon, N.Y.) scored a pair of Rams goals to increase the lead to 8-3 with 6:59 remaining in the first half. The Cougars responded by scoring the final two goals of the half as the Rams took an 8-5 advantage into halftime.
Junior attack Julie Knodt (Mount Laurel, N.J.) netted the pass off the feed from junior midfielder Ciara Mastrodomenico (Blairstown, N.J.) only 1:47 into the second half to pull Kean within 8-6. Handel scored two consecutive Farmingdale State goals, before Cannon answered with a pair of Kean scores to again pull the Cougars within two, 10-8. Over the final 15:41 the Rams scored seven of the games final eight goals to earn a 17-9 semifinal victory.
Handel scored a game-high seven goals, while Marzocca tallied five scores and four draw controls. Senior attack Carly Schneider (Merrick, N.Y.) recorded three goals and sophomore midfielder Christy Thoden (Bayport, N.Y.) had five assists, six ground balls, five draw controls and caused three turnovers for Farmingdale State. Freshman goalkeeper Thalia Medina (Brentwood, N.Y.) made seven saves in the victory.
Kean was led by Cannon who had a team-high six points scoring five goals and adding one assist.
The Rams will host #2 Montclair State in the Skyline Conference Finals on Saturday, April 27 at noon.
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