Hamilton College took two shots in the final 10 seconds, but Salisbury University hung on to edge the Continentals 7-6 in the 2010 NCAA Division III national championship game at Gettysburg College’s Clark Field on May 23.
With Salisbury ahead 7-6, a turnover by the Sea Gulls gave Hamilton the ball with 53 seconds left. Hannah Hoar ’13 took a shot that was blocked, and Liz Rave ’10 picked up the ground ball. Rave fired a shot on goal that was saved, but Rave pounced on the ground ball again and sent a pass to Libby Schultz ’12. Just after time expired, Schultz fired a shot into the back of the net that would have been the game-tying goal.
The Continentals were playing in their second championship final in the last three years. Hamilton finished its season with a 21-1 overall record. Hamilton tied its record for wins in a season that was set in 2008 when they won the College's only NCAA team title. Salisbury (21-1) earned its first national title in women's lacrosse.
Six seniors on the team missed Commencement to play in Gettysburg. Matilda Andersson, Kayla Bettenhauser, Kate Fowler, Audrey Nebergall, Liz Rave and Hilary Saverin were recognized by President Stewart during the commencement ceremony in Clinton. Following their game, the six players received their diplomas during a ceremony on Gettysburg College's campus presided over by Associate Dean of Faculty Patrick Reynolds and Dean of Admission Monica Inzer.
Six seniors on the team missed Commencement to play in Gettysburg. Matilda Andersson, Kayla Bettenhauser, Kate Fowler, Audrey Nebergall, Liz Rave and Hilary Saverin were recognized by President Stewart during the commencement ceremony in Clinton. Following their game, the six players received their diplomas during a ceremony on Gettysburg College's campus presided over by Associate Dean of Faculty Patrick Reynolds and Dean of Admission Monica Inzer.
Kate Fowler ’10 tied a career high with 14 saves, turning aside seven shots in each half. Fowler also recorded 14 saves in a 13-9 win last year in the Colby College regional final against Middlebury College.
Rave scored three goals, picked up two ground balls and caused two turnovers. She recorded 140 career goals, which puts her in fourth place on Hamilton's all-time list.
Anne Graveley ’11, Schultz and Kate Otley ’12 each scored one goal. Rachel Friedman ’13 earned one assist. Sarah Bray ’11 picked up a team-high three ground balls, won two draw controls and caused two turnovers. Fowler, Rave and Bray were named to the 2010 all-tournament team.
Rave scored three goals, picked up two ground balls and caused two turnovers. She recorded 140 career goals, which puts her in fourth place on Hamilton's all-time list.
Anne Graveley ’11, Schultz and Kate Otley ’12 each scored one goal. Rachel Friedman ’13 earned one assist. Sarah Bray ’11 picked up a team-high three ground balls, won two draw controls and caused two turnovers. Fowler, Rave and Bray were named to the 2010 all-tournament team.
Graveley put the Continentals on the scoreboard first with her 42nd goal 2 minutes, 13 seconds into the game, when she sent a low free-position shot into the back of the net. At the 20:18 mark, Rave scored her first goal of the day. After a Salisbury foul, Rave started at the top of the fan and drove into the 8-meter. Her bouncing shot into the goal gave Hamilton a 2-0 lead.
At 18:52, Rave fired a free-position shot into the goal from the right side to put Hamilton up by three. With 17:59 left in the half, Salisbury capitalized on a free-position shot to make the score 3-1.
With 11:35 left in the opening half, Hoar ripped a free-position shot that hit the crossbar. The Continentals retained possession, and Otley drove in from the right side and fired a high shot into the goal to give Hamilton a 4-1 advantage.
Salisbury rallied to score the next three goals. With 10:14 left in the first, Salisbury found the back of the net to cut its deficit to two at 4-2. Salisbury scored again just 2:02 before the break to climb within 4-3.
The Sea Gulls opened the second half with the tying goal exactly one minute in. With 27:33 left, Friedman sent a pass from the right side of the goal to Schultz on the left side. Schultz jumped and sent a shot past the goalie to take back the lead. It was Schultz's 30th goal this season.
Salisbury responded by tying the score for the second time at the 23:38 mark. One minute, 21 seconds later, the Continentals regained the lead on another Rave free-position goal from the right side. Rave’s jumping shot made the score 6-5 and it was her 46th goal this season.
The Sea Gulls tied the score at 6-6 with 17:42 left. With 5:36 remaining, Salisbury scored what turned out to be the game-winning goal. It was the first time the Sea Gulls held the lead.
Salisbury held a 31-26 advantage in shots and a 16-12 edge in ground balls. The Sea Gulls won eight draw controls, while the Continentals won seven. Hamilton was successful on 14 of its 18 clears, and Salisbury was successful on 14 of 17. The Continentals committed 14 turnovers and the Sea Gulls turned the ball over eight times.
Salisbury held a 31-26 advantage in shots and a 16-12 edge in ground balls. The Sea Gulls won eight draw controls, while the Continentals won seven. Hamilton was successful on 14 of its 18 clears, and Salisbury was successful on 14 of 17. The Continentals committed 14 turnovers and the Sea Gulls turned the ball over eight times.
