W&L WOMEN'S LACROSSE BESTS SWEET BRIAR, 8-3, IN ODAC SEMIFINALS

LEXINGTON, Va. -- Top-seeded Washington and Lee received three goals from sophomore attacker Kelly Evans (Lexington, Va./Rockbridge County) and two goals and one assist from junior attacker Amanda Strickler (Lexington, Va./Rockbridge County) in defeating fifth-seeded Sweet Briar, 8-3, in the semifinals of the ODAC Women's Lacrosse Tournament on Saturday afternoon at Watt Field.

The Generals (13-3) struck first as senior midfielder Kristen Brown (Baltimore, Md./Catonsville) found the net unassisted just 2:17 into the game. The Vixens (10-6) answered with an unassisted tally by freshman midfielder Ellie Donahue (Richmond, Va./Trinity Episcopal) just 1:18 later to knot the score at 1-1. However, the Generals would close the first half with four goals, two by Evans and two by Strickler, for a 5-1 lead at the break.

Evans began the second stanza with an unassisted goal at the 23:06 mark, but Sweet Briar would cut the lead to 6-2 at the 18:39 mark on a goal by freshman attacker Sarah Ross Stewart (Lexington, Va./Virginia Episcopal) off an assist from senior attacker Karah Strawley (Charlottesville, Va./Covenant). Brown scored unassisted for W&L at the 5:38 mark for a five-goal advantage, but the Vixens again answered with a goal by Donahue off a feed from senior midfielder Ginger Tripp (Richmond, Va./St. Catherines) with three minutes remaining. W&L junior attacker Kate Lester (Wilmington, Del./Friends) capped the scoring with 1:41 left on an unassisted goal.

W&L freshman Sarah Tilbor (West Simsbury, Conn./Simsbury) stopped five shots for the Generals, while sophomore Emily Fitzpatrick (Virginia Beach, Va./Norfolk Academy) notched 16 saves between the pipes for Sweet Briar.

Washington and Lee advances to the ODAC Championship game on Sunday when it will face third-seeded Randolph-Macon. The Yellow Jackets moved on with an 18-10 win over second-seeded Virginia Wesleyan. Gametime is set for 2:00 pm.

SCORING:
W&L GOALS - Kelly Evans 3, Kristen Brown 2, Amanda Strickler 2, Kate Lester 1.
W&L ASSISTS - Natalya Hoobchaak 1, Amanda Strickler 1.
SBC GOALS - Ellie Donahue 2, Sarah Ross Stewart 1.
SBC ASSISTS - Karah Strawley 1, Ginger Tripp 1.

GOALTENDING:
Sarah Tilbor (W&L) 60:00 3 GA, 5 Saves
Emily Fitzpatrick (SBC) 60:00 8 GA, 16 Saves

-- GENERALS --