LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The No. 1 Lock Haven University lacrosse team is set for the 2015 NCAA Division II Final Four.
The Bald Eagles (19-0) will face No. 3 Lindenwood (19-1) in the National Semifinals on Saturday, May 16 at 3 p.m. in Salem, Virginia.
No. 2 Adelphi (19-1) takes on No. 4 Le Moyne (18-3) in the other semifinal game on Saturday (11 a.m.).
The winner of each semifinal matchup will appear in the National Championship game on Sunday, May 17.
CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRALGAME DAY CENTRALNo. 1 Lock Haven vs. No. 3 Lindenwood | Kerr Stadium - Salem, Va.
Saturday, May 16 – 3 p.m. |
Live Stats |
Audio |
VideoFinal Four schedule:Saturday, May 1611 a.m. | #2 Adelphi vs. #4 Le Moyne
3 p.m. | #1 Lock Haven vs. #3 Lindenwood
Sunday, May 172 p.m. National Championship game, teams TBD
The road to Salem:The Bald Eagles enter Saturday's game with a flawless, 19-0 record for the 2015 season. Lock Haven's last loss came in the 2014 NCAA Championship game after LHU won 17 straight games to get there. Those 17 victories were a school record for consecutive wins until Saturday, when Lock Haven won its 18
th game and the PSAC Championships.
LHU extended its win streak to 19 with a lopsided, 12-3 victory over Rollins in NCAA Fist Round action. Since March 23, 2014 (a loss to IUP), LHU has won 36 of 37 games, with the only loss coming in the last season's national title game.
Back-to-Back PSAC Champions:Lock Haven earned its second consecutive Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) championship on Saturday, May 2. The championship marked the eighth conference championship victory in school history.
Pandolf was named the 2015 PSAC Tournament MVP, who tallied five goals, four draw controls, and four ground balls in the win.
LHU downed Seton Hill, 17-5 in semifinal action.
The Bald Eagles earned the right to host and the top-seed of the tournament after finishing the season 16-0 overall and 12-0 in conference play.
Six Bald Eagles on All-Region Team:A total of six players represent the top-ranked Lock Haven University lacrosse team on the 2015 Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Division II All-South Region Team.
Goalkeeper
Chrissy Baffuto, defender
Jenna Dingler, and midfielders
Kelly Hamilton, and
Jessica Pandolf earned spots on the First Team.
Shannon Bissnette and
Christina Hawkins were named to the Second Team on attack and defense, respectively.
Head coach
Kristen Selvage was tabbed PSAC Coach of the Year this season after leading the Bald Eagles through an undefeated season and the regular-season title.
Seven named to All-PSAC Team:Pandolf was named the 2015 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) player of the year and earned First-Team All-Conference honors.
Pandolf was joined by
Kelly Hamilton,
Chrissy Baffuto, and junior
Jenna Dingler on the PSAC First-Team.
Rachel Ward,
Christina Hawkins, and
Shannon Bissnette earned spots on the Second-Team.
19 straight:Lock Haven has remained perfect this season with a solid, 19-0 record heading into the NCAA Final Four.
Defensive Powerhouse:The LHU defensive-unit has proved to be the best in the nation, allowing only 4.95 goals per game on the year (94).
Goalkeeper
Chrissy Baffuto ranks second in the nation in goals against with an average of 4.95. Baffuto has recorded a .518 save percentage and 31 groundballs through 19 games.
The Lock Haven defense is packed with veteran-defenders,
Melinda Wojt,
Christina Hawkins, and
Kelly Close. This skilled unit will look to have a solid weekend at the Final Four.
Balanced Offense:The Bald Eagle offense has become lethal, with all seven-attackers making their mark on the score sheets. Midfielders
Jessica Pandolf and
Kelly Hamilton have led LHU to 19 wins and 16 double-digit wins.
Lock Haven has recorded an average of 13.84 goals per game and dished out 124 assists on the season.
Pandolf tops the National Rankings in goals with 77 on the year and ranks third in goals per game with 4.05.
Rachel Ward and Hamilton have rounded-out the Top-3 Haven attackers with 50 and 46 goals, respectively.
Last Time vs. Lindenwood:In the first meeting between both schools this season, the Bald Eagles downed the Lions, 8-5.
Kelly Hamilton led LHU with a hat trick and
Jessica Pandolf tallied a game-high five draw controls.
The Lock Haven defensive unit held Lindenwood to nine goals, its lowest offensive output all season.
LHU is 2-0 against the Lions in the all-time series, after a thrilling NCAA semi-final victory last season. The Bald Eagles battled Lindenwood to a, 10-9 overtime win to advance to the National Championship game.
Rachel Ward led the Haven charge with four goals and
Kelly Hamilton netted a hat trick.
NCAA First Round Win:Lock Haven advanced to the NCAA Final Four after a dominating, 12-3 win over Rollins on Saturday, May 9.
Pandolf led all-scorers with a game-high four goals, four groundballs, and three draw controls. Pandolf added two caused turnovers and shot 2-for-3 on free positions.
The Bald Eagles were 12-for-14 on clear attempts and outdrew Rollins 10-to-7.
Defensively, LHU held the Tars to three goals, a season-low for Rollins. The Bald Eagles earned 12 caused turnovers and
Chrissy Baffuto recorded seven crucial saves in the win.
NCAA Tournament History:Last Saturday's (May 9) win over Rollins marked Lock Haven's eight appearance in the NCAA DII Tournament and third consecutive trip. Last season, LHU played in the NCAA DII National Title game for the second time in school history, losing to Adelphi. Lock Haven and Adelphi also met in the 2009 National Title game with the Panthers winning that one as well. This is the sixth time that Lock Haven has advanced to the Final Four. Back in 1979, LHU was crowned the National Champion, winning the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women National Title. Lock Haven beat Hollins 5-4 in the title match. Lock Haven is in search of its first DII National Crown.
Follow all the action and keep up with the Bald Eagles trip to Salem, Virginia via SOCIAL MEDIA – TWITTER - @HavenAthletics & @LHUlacrosse, FACEBOOK – LHU Athletics and Instagram – Haven Athletics.
