WASHINGTON, Pa. (May 6) - The Saint Vincent women's lacrosse team was defeated by a 15-8 score by top seed Washington & Jefferson College in the Ohio River Lacrosse Conference Championship game. 

Saint Vincent finishes the year with a 12-5 overall record. The 12 wins represents the second most wins in program history. W&J improves to 13-4 overall and secures its first ever automatic bid to the Division III NCAA Tournament. 

The senior class put together a 44-25 overall record during the past four seasons, which included two conference titles and four conference title game appearances. 

After two early W&J goals, junior attack Naomi Schwaiger got the Bearcats on the board, taking a pass from Maggie Nelson and scoring at the 19:40 mark of the opening half. The Presidents scored shortly after to take a 3-1 lead over the Bearcats. Less than a minute later, Sarah Wallerstedt brought the Bearcats within a goal, scoring off a pass from Nelson to cut the deficit to 3-2 with 15:39 remaining in the first. 

The score remained that way for the next six minutes before the Presidents tallied seven straight goals over the final 9:52 of the first half, taking a commanding 9-2 lead after 30 minutes of action.

The critical run allowed the Presidents to hold a lead of at least six goals for the entire second half. W&J and SVC each scored six goals during the second half of play. Nelson tallied three goals, while Hannah Carroll recorded two scores and Wallerstedt added the other score over the final 30 minutes. 

Nelson led the Bearcats with a seven-point performance, tallying three goals and four assists. Nelson finished another record breaking season with 86 goals, 48 assists and 134 total points. Carroll totaled three points in her final match wearing the Green and Gold. 

Freshman Rachel Belles put together a solid defensive performance, with team highs in ground balls (5) and caused turnovers (3). Sophomore goalkeeper Maria Franey made 11 saves over 60 minutes of action in net. 

W&J was led by Monica Ewansik and Rae La Rochelle, who both recorded six point games, with five goals and an assist each. 

The following Bearcats were named to the All-ORLC Tournament Team: Junior midfielder Maggie Nelson, senior attack Hannah Carroll, senior midfielder Sarah Wallerstedt and senior defender Emma Weaver.