Kelyn Freedman (#22) scores to cut Louisville's lead to 4-2 |
Cardinals Nip Hoyas in Big East Finals
So close. The #2 seeded Georgetown Hoyas women's lacrosse team got within a goal of #1 Louisville with 59 seconds remaining in the Big East tournament championship game; but couldn't prevent the visiting Cardinals from winning their first Big East title, 9-8 in front of 737 at Multi-Sport Field.
Junior attacker Faye Brust scored six goals to lead Louisville (15-3) into the NCAA tournament on an impressive 11-game win streak (second best in the country.) The Hoyas (10-8) will have to wait until tomorrow night's NCAA tournament selection to see if their season will continue. Georgetown was ranked #21 before the Big East tourney: 24 teams advance to the NCAAs. We'll have our fingers crossed.
Hannah Franklin led the Hoyas with 2 goals and 5 shots |
Today's contest was an epic battle; as Louisville dominated in the early going, jumping out to a 4-1 lead before Big East All-Tournament Team selection Caroline Tarzian tied it up with 5:06 left in the first half. Brust scored twice in the final 2½ minutes to give the Cardinals a two-goal advantage at halftime. The Hoyas outscored Louisville 4-3 in the second half and actually outshot the Cardinals 25-23 for the game.
Caroline Tarzian tied the score at 4 with 5:06 left in the 1st half |
Brust converted more than half of her game-high 11 shots to pace the Cardinals. The Hoyas used a more balanced attack, with seven total goal scorers led by senior Hannah Franklin, who scored her 23rd goal of the season to draw the Hoyas within 9-8 with less than a minute to go in the game. Franklin was selected to her second straight Big East All-Tournament team, joining Tarzian, Kelyn Freedman and freshman goalie Maddy Fisher. Regardless of how tomorrow's selection show turns out, head coach Ricky Fried has to be happy with his team's performance this season. The Hoyas lose eight seniors, but look primed for another strong run next season.
Hoyas' Meghan Farrell puts a move on Heidi Smith (#32) |
Click here to see today's box score.