Gettysburg and Franklin & Marshall will clash yet again in the Centennial Conference women's lacrosse championship after both posting semifinal home wins on Friday. Top-seeded Gettysburg defeated fourth-seeded Washington College 18-7 while second-seeded F&M edged third-seeded Haverford 9-8.
Sunday's championship matchup in Gettysburg will mark the ninth consecutive year and 18th time in the last 19 season that the Bullets and Diplomats will face off in the championship. Gettysburg downed F&M 8-5 in the 2022.
Gettysburg, ranked eighth in the latest IWLCA national poll, outscored Washington (Md.) in three of the four quarters to key an 18-7 win and a return to the Centennial Conference Championship to defend their title.
Julia Daly tallied four goals and dished two assists, Katie Fullowan also scored four goals and Caroline Sullivan had three helpers and one goal to lead the Bullets. Tobin Chambers led the Shorewomen with two goals, the only Washington player with a multi-goal game.
In the other semifinal, F&M secured a thrilling 9-8 win against third-seeded Haverford under the Shadek Stadium lights on Friday night. The Diplomats trailed 7-3 at the half, but used a 5-1 advantage during the third quarter while allowing just that single tally to the Fords over the final 30 minutes of regulation time.
Lauren Pittman had a hat trick and team-high four points for the Diplomats, with Sydney Lowe adding two more goals. Alyssa Moran came up with seven huge saves, including four during the second half when F&M stifled the Haverford attack in the come-from-behind victory. Katharine Ference (3g, 1a) and Sam Silverman (1g, 3a) led the way for the Fords in the defeat.
FIRST ROUND: Wednesday, May 3 | at #3 & #4 seeds
#3 Haverford d. #6 Muhlenberg, 16-12
#4 Washington College d. #5 Ursinus, 18-11
SEMIFINALS: Friday, May 5 | at #1 & #2 seeds
#2 Franklin & Marshall d. #3 Haverford, 9-8
#1 Gettysburg d. #4 Washington College, 18-7
CHAMPIONSHIP: Sunday, May 7 | Gettysburg, Pa.
#2 Franklin & Marshall at #1 Gettysburg, 1 p.m.