April 29, 2008
ATHLETICS
Lacrosse team comes up short in Patriot League Tournament final
The AU lacrosse team came out spirited before Friday’s Patriot League semifinal win over Navy. The team lost in Sunday’s final game, however, to Colgate. (Photos by Jeff Watts)
The AU lacrosse team’s roller coaster ride of a season ended Sunday when the Eagles, winner of the regular season Patriot League title, lost in the conference tournament championship game to Colgate.
After a thrilling comeback win over Navy in the semifinals Friday, AU entered Sunday’s final at William I Jacobs Recreational Complex a confident bunch. But it was Colgate that got off to the quick start, taking a 4-0 lead early in the first half. AU battled back to tie the game at halftime, but in the end came up short, falling 13-8. Colgate advanced to the NCAA Tournament play-in game Friday against Marist.
It was a curious season for the Eagles, who struggled with a tough nonconference schedule but tore through the Patriot League to win the regular season crown. The team’s in-league dominance was reflected Thursday when Eagles took four of the five major awards handed out at the league’s annual lacrosse banquet.
Katie Woods was named Coach of the Year, Jackie Lane repeated as Offensive Player of the Year, Brittany Finnegan took home Defensive Player of the Year, and Kristine Vida was named Goalkeeper of the Year. All three were named to the All-Patriot League first team, along with Lauren Aksionoff and Caitlin Bell. Lauren Lane was named to the second team.
