Cardinals Storm Into Landmark Final With Convincing Win

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Catholic University women's lacrosse squad handily defeated the Susquehanna University Crusaders Wednesday evening in the Landmark Conference Tournament semifinal. The #1 seeded Cardinals toppled the fourth-seeded Crusaders thanks to five goals from Kate Robinson (Emmitsburg, Md./Catoctin) and four from Marcy Cuneo (Haddonfield, N.J./Camden Catholic).

Susquehanna scored less than a minute in but CUA came back seconds later as Cuneo took the ball down the field for a score. Kate Narzikul (Philadelphia, Pa./Merion Mercy Academy) then got the ball off of a SU turnover and weaved through the defense to make it 2-1. Off of the resulting draw control, Caroline Taltavull (Gaithersburg, Md./Gaithersburg) picked it up and scored immediately. A free position goal by Laura Haring (Mt. Sinai, N.Y./Mt. Sinai) less than five minutes in forced the Crusaders to call a timeout to regroup as CUA led by three early on.

Susquehanna answered with another up the middle but their excitement was short lived with Haring picking up a loose ball and getting it past the keeper. Off of another draw control, the Cardinals scored when Taltavull got the draw and passed to Lindsay Davenport (Delran, N.J./Delran) in the crease. Becky Borrell (Oreland, Pa./Mt. St. Joseph Academy) found Robinson in the middle at the 16 minute mark to add one more. With time winding down, Robinson hit her second of the day finding the top left corner of the cage, but an SU free position get them right back in the game. Robinson's third was a pretty cut down the middle and her fourth of the game was a free position attempt. Cuneo scored her second of the game at two minutes and Katie Bitonti (North Potomac, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel) added the final making the score 12-3 at the break.

The Crusaders came out hot in the second half scoring two quick goals but midway through the Cards responded as Haring found Robinson next to the cage. Haring then scored one of her own making it 14-5 with Cuneo immediately following with another as she stole the ball from the defender right in front of the SU goal. Kelly Ryan (Levittown, N.Y./MacArthur) added to the lead getting a nice pass and evading a defender for another SU score as the clock ran. Cuneo then hit another free position on the day. The Crusaders added one in the final minute to make the final 17-6.

Robinson led the Cardinals with five goals, while Cuneo had four for the contest. Haring had a big all-around day with three goals and as many assists. The Cards outshot the Crusaders 40-18 and had three more ground balls as well as double the draw controls. Melissa Brashear (Pittsburgh, Pa./Oakland Catholic) took the win in goal with eight saves in the game.

The Cardinals will now face the second-seeded Goucher College Gophers on Saturday in the championship game at Cardinal Stadium.