The Division III NCAA ladies’s lacrosse match is the final one to determine its nationwide semifinalists, because the 4 quarterfinals passed off this afternoon.
All 4 noticed favored blue-blood sides make it to subsequent week’s Last 4 in Salem, Va. Franklin & Marshall, which has made its fourth nationwide semifinal within the final dozen years, has certified. So has William Smith, which has made its second straight nationwide semifinal, albeit it has by no means gained. Additionally making the final 4 is Salisbury, which has gained three nationwide titles within the final 11 years.
However the group that everybody has been chasing all yr (nay, the final three) is Middlebury School. The Panthers have gained three nationwide championships within the final 4 years, and are set for an additional title. Middlebury is 21-0 on the season, which incorporates at this time’s 16-1 win over Pomona-Pfitzer.
I believed Pomoma-Pfitzer was going to put up a stiff problem to Middlebury, not solely due to the best way they beat Ithaca School within the octofinals, however as a result of the teaching workers for the Sagehens recruit nationwide, all over the place from conventional areas like Maryland and Lengthy Island, however from among the up-and-coming areas like Minnesota, Florida, Utah, Oregon, and Washington.
I additionally thought the group would break by for coaches Sarah and Sylvia Queener, who’re from one of many nation’s greatest lacrosse teaching households.
Pomona-Pfitzer did rating the primary objective this afternoon. However sadly for them, the Panthers would rating a dozen targets earlier than the interval, together with six power-play targets. It was an excessive amount of for the Sagehens to return again from.
We’ll see, later this week, whether or not Middlebury is ready to win its third consecutive nationwide championship in discipline hockey, to go together with the three straight that the ladies’s lacrosse group has gained.
