Box Score

Lexington, Va. - The Transylvania women's lacrosse team prevailed in a back and forth thriller in the opening round of the 2022 NCAA Division III Women's Lacrosse tournament, defeating Washington & Jefferson 16-15. The win marks the first NCAA Tournament win in the program's history.

The Presidents made the first mark of the afternoon rather quickly, establishing possession on the opening draw and depositing one in the net for a 1-0 lead 34 seconds in. Diana Bruder then grabbed the next draw and buried it, tying things up not even one minute into the game. The sequence set the tone for the afternoon, as the two teams would trade blows throughout the entire 60 minutes.

Washington & Jefferson recaptured the lead at the 12:51 mark but three minutes later it was Linley Dawson coming through on an assist from Vianne Koshoffer, evening things up. The teams continued to go back and forth as the Presidents scored at 4:36, however shortly after Abbey Peterson netted one on a free position shot making it a 3-3 game. 

The first Transy lead came just 44 seconds after Peterson's tally, as Charlotte Green scored on another feed from Koshoffer. Washington & Jefferson tied things up late in the quarter and nearly had another on a free position attempt, but Abi Waldron came up big with the save. After one, the teams were in a 4-4 deadlock. 

After a closely played opening quarter, Dawson put another one home just 22 seconds into quarter two, giving the Pioneers the lead. Transy pushed hard looking to take the first multi-goal lead of the day, and did just that as Peterson's bouncing shot found the twine at the 10:19 mark. The junior showed no signs of slowing down, scoring again three minutes later for a hat trick, and making it 7-4 Transy. The Presidents then roared to life with three quick goals, and out of nowhere it was a 7-7 game, prompting a timeout from Transylvania. 

The teams kept exchanging surges as a W&J goal gave them the lead, but on the next possession Mandi Rider knotted things back up. The Presidents scored to make it 9-8, and with 19 seconds in the half had another but was called back due to a foul. It proved to be quite the swing, as in the final seconds the Pioneers marched down the field and Peterson scored her fourth to close out the half with a 9-9 tie. 

With both teams finding stretches of momentum in the opening half but ending up in a draw, it set up for an intense final 30 minutes to decide who would advance. Dawson's hat trick tally put the Pioneers on top four minutes into the third. The Presidents tied it up at the 8:22 mark, but Rider put up Transy's eleventh of the day, this time Dawson assisting. Another goal came from W&J, before Bruder buried two straight to give Transylvania a 13-11 lead with a quarter remaining. 

The Presidents went on a three goal run to start the fourth and took the lead. Transylvania remained poised however, as Rider's free position shot made it fourteen all, with 9:34 left. As the quarter wore on, Transy had several opportunities but were unable to solve the W&J goaltender. Finally, with 2:44 remaining Peterson notched her fifth of the day making it a 15-14 score. Washington and Jefferson kept the shootout going with another goal shortly after, making it a tied game in the final two minutes. 

With just 57 seconds left Bruder made a slick pass to a charging Green who scored the clutch goal. W&J won the ensuing draw, meaning Transy had to get one more stop to earn the win. In the closing seconds Abby Rau caused a massive turnover right in from of the net, and grabbed the ground ball to run out the clock. The Pioneers took the win, 16-15.

Several Pioneers had games to remember, including Peterson's 5 goal, 2 assist showing. Bruder, Dawson, and Rider all notched hat tricks as well. Ysa Leon had a huge day with 10 draw controls to help in the effort, and Waldron took the win after making 12 saves in net. 

Up next Transylvania will take on Washington & Lee University, again in Lexington, Virginia, tomorrow with a 1 PM scheduled start. The Generals earned the right to host, and a first round bye, going 17-2 on the season. More information can be found on the tournament page along with ticketing information.

For more on Transylvania women's lacrosse, follow @TransyWLax on Twitter