May 14, 2005
By Michael O'Connor
Stonehill won the Division 2 national title in 2003, and last year lost only three games. But that trio of setbacks was enough to keep the Chieftains' women's lacrosse team out of the NCAA tournament and deny it a chance to repeat.
The Chieftains determined that such a series of unfortunate events would not befall them in 2005, and they went out and ran up a 19-0 record.
For their efforts, the Northeast-10 powerhouse was rewarded with the top seed in this weekend's Div. 2 championships in West Chester, Pa.
The Stonehill women's lacrosse program was a late starter, making its debut in 2000. Under the guidance of coach Michael Daly, however, the Chieftains asserted themselves quickly. They rose to the heights with a championship season two years ago, only to miss the tourney last year despite a 14-3 record.
Junior attack Jenny McGrath, who shares the team's scoring lead (81 points) with midfielder Erin Acone, said that was a bitter lesson, one they rectified by not leaving anything to chance this year.
``Last year was so disappointing, to not even make the postseason,'' McGrath said. ``We were just determined to try so much harder, to do better this year.''
Stonehill meets 12-1 Adelphi in the North semifinal this morning at 11:30, and Lock Haven (14-3) takes on 16-1 West Chester at 2 p.m. While not looking beyond today's contest, the Chieftains would love to meet West Chester in the final - again.
In 2002, Stonehill lost to the Golden Rams in the championship game.
The Chieftain seniors have long memories. Senior Meaghan Carey of Hingham said beating the Golden Rams for the NCAA crowd would be fitting.
``It would really right a wrong for us, to go out on top like that.''
The championship game is set for tomorrow at noon.
Carey, the Northeast-10 Defensive Player of the Year, is one of five seniors who have been together ``since we got right on the field and started playing as freshmen,'' she recalled. ``It's so important that we've been able to stay together and now we have to finish it.''
Regarding archrival West Chester, Stonehill may already have momentum on its side: In a regular-season game earlier this season, the Golden Rams held a four-goal lead with a half-minute remaining in the first period. But the Chieftains scored three in 30 seconds, and ended up winning by a goal.
``That showed us that we could come back, no matter what the odds,'' McGrath said. ``It's given us a sense of confidence for the whole season.''
Their coach said missing out last year has made the Stonehill women all the more determined to make the most of this weekend.
``We all learned how painful that could be,'' said Daly, the architect of a program that has won 85 games in six seasons. ``The whole team learned a great deal, and that has made us what we are this year.''
