JWU Captures 2017 GNAC Women's Lacrosse Championship with 19-5 Win over Simmons
GNAC Tournament MVP Lydia Knapp had four goals and Maria Patane had nine points to lead the Wildcats into the NCAA Tournament.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Courtesy of JWU Athletics Communications
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Four years ago the first season of women's lacrosse at Johnson & Wales ended with a 13-8 loss in the first round of the GNAC Tournament. Fast forward to 2017 and the Wildcats are on top of the league as they defeated Simmons, 19-5, to claim the conference title.
Records:
Simmons: 8-12
Johnson & Wales: 16-4
Statistical Leaders:
Maria Patane (JWU): 5 goals, 4 assists
Allison Pazienski (JWU): 4 goals, 1 assist
Lydia Knapp (JWU): 4 goals, 1 assist
Of Note:
Johnson & Wales now waits to find out its first round opponent in next week's NCAA Tournament. The selection show is Sunday at 9:30 p.m. on ncaa.com.
The eighth-best scoring team in the nation, JWU got out to a fast start and never looked back. Gabrielle Vasile (Milford, Mass.) scored a pair of goals and Alexandra Anton (Dix Hills, NY) added a pair of assists as the Wildcats got out to a 3-0 lead.
Simmons answered with two scores, but the Wildcats responded by running off 11-consecutive goals. Allison Pazienski (New Hyde Park, NY) and Maria Patane (Greenwich, NY) each found the back of the net three times during that run to send the hosts into the locker room up 14-3.
Johnson & Wales more than doubled up the Sharks in shots (43-12) and also had the advantage in draw controls (17-9) and ground balls (37-19). Senior midfielder Lydia Knapp (Glens Falls, NY) – who was named Tournament MVP – picked up a game-high five ground balls to go along with four goals.
All-Tournament Team:
Lydia Knapp, JWU - MVP
Elizabeth Tonn, JWU
Gabrielle Vasile, JWU
Maria Patane, JWU
Allison Pazienski, JWU
Kasey Fries, Simmons
Aria Giarruso, Simmons
Elena Bragg, Simmons
Jackie Wilson, St. Joseph's
Elyse Caiazzo, St. Joseph's
Nicole Pavao, Mount Ida
Molly Thompson, Mount Ida