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Smithfield, RI -- It was a familiar setting for the 2016 NEC women’s lacrosse championship as top-seeded Bryant and second-seeded Wagner faced off in Smithfield, RI for the third consecutive year.  The Seahawks earned the programs first ever conference title with an 11-7 victory.   

The Bulldogs struck first as NEC Offensive Player of the Year Nicole Britton (Monmouth Beach, NJ/Shore Regional) found Catlin Brown (San Diego, CA/Bishops School) for her first of three goals in the game just two minutes in.

The next eight minutes would remain scoreless until the Seahawks tied the game after All-NEC second teamer Kimmy Tumolo (Mullica Hill, NJ/Clearview) found tournament MVP Tori McGrath (Albany, NY/Bethlehem Central) cutting in front of the net who found the back of the net to tie things up 1-1.

Wagner would take the 2-1 lead with 10:33 remaining as Shea Gegan (Manasquan, NJ/Manasquan) connected with Olivia Streilein (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape). Streilein paced the Seahawks offense with three goals while McGrath recorded two goals and an assist.

Coming out of the break the Seahawks would continue their scoring run as Stephanie Peterson (Vernon, NJ/Vernon Township) netted the first goal of the half to put the team up by two. Wagner increased its lead to three less than a minute later as Streilein struck again with 26:08 remaining.

Bryant ended their 19:19 scoring drought after Brown netted her third goal of the game to bring the team within three at 7-4.

The Seahawks continued their scoring dominance throughout the second half to secure the team’s first trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Wagner netminder Katie Ferraro (Owings Mill, MD/McDonogh) was a standout between the pipes as she made 12 saves over the course of 60 minutes.  

Wagner senior attacker Tori McGrath (Albany, NY/Bethlehem Central) finished with two goals and an assist for the Seahawks and finished with seven goals in two games to earn Tournament MVP honors.

Brown led the scoring for the Bulldogs, earning All-Tournament accolades after recording three goals to go with an assist and caused turnover.

Wagner will find out their fate in the NCAA Tournament during tonight’s selection show at 9 pm on NCAA.com. 

2016 NEC All-Tournament Team
Alyssa Pearce, Sacred Heart
Paige Hammick, Sacred Heart
Micah Brown, Robert Morris
Jessica Karwacki, Robert Morris
Catlin Brown, Bryant
Meaghan Brennan, Bryant
Molly Martin, Bryant
Shea Gegan, Wagner
Gretchen Fay, Wagner
Kimmy Tumolo, Wagner
Katie Ferraro, Wagner

Tournament MVP
Tori McGrath, Wagner