SOUTHFIELD, Mich. - Siena Heights University women's lacrosse team competed in the 2022 Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) Championship game on Saturday, April 23rd. RV Siena was the No.2 seed going into the tournament earning a bye for the first round, as did No.1 ranked Lawrence Tech who earned a No.1 seed for the tournament. The Saints led twice in the 15-14 loss, giving up the lead with only two minutes left in the fourth.
Senior Hannah Merrick led for Siena Heights, putting up four goals, shooting 4-for-4, collecting two ground grounds, two caused turnovers, and eight draw controls. Senior Alexis Kuhns (3-for-3) scored three goals during the game and won two draw controls. Courtney Frankfurth netted three goals for the Saints while tallying one ground ball, one assist, and one caused turnover. Madison Spell (2-for-3) found the back of the netting twice, making one assist, and picked up one ground ball during the game. Senior Marissa Cirino scored once, tallying one assist, collected four ground balls, won eight draw controls, and caused two turnovers. Senior Kristin Delclos went 1-for-2 from the field scoring once for the Saints. Goalie Emily Durr saw action in all 60 minutes of the game-saving 10 shots on goal.
SHU was the first to score as Merrick found the back of the netting propelling the Saints into their first lead of the game. Lawrence Tech scored three times before Siena would put up three back-to-back goals from Spell and Kuhns, taking back the lead. However, Lawrence Tech would lead 6-5 going into the second.
Starting the second, Merrick would be the first score again. A low-scoring quarter full of tough defense saw Siena outscore the No.1 team in the nation 3-1 to regain the lead 8-7 going into halftime.
Furthering the lead over the Blue Devils, Frankfurth added one point to the board. To be the first goal of the third quarter and started a back-and-forth goal exchange that ended with a big save from Durr on a free position shot from Tech.
Going into the final quarter, Siena Heights was tied with Lawrence tech at 12-12. Until Delclos took the lead, netting the first goal of the quarter on a free position shot earning her fifth goal of the season. Cirino followed next, scoring near the 12-minute mark to put the Saints up 14-13. Lawrence Tech tied the game with six minutes remaining in regulation and started a battle for control. Ultimately, the Blue Devils scored once more near the two-minute mark to take the lead and win the WHAC Championship.
UP NEXT
The Saints now await the release of NAIA tournament bids for the 2022 NAIA Women's Lacrosse Championship that will take place in Southfield, Michigan, from May 4th to May 7th.
