Rochester, N.Y. - The third-seeded women's lacrosse team topped the second-seeded Redhawks of Roberts Wesleyan University this evening in the semifinal round of the East Coast Conference Tournament, 16-15. The Lions will advance to play for the ECC Championship for the first time in the program's history with the victory and snaps a nine-game losing streak against the Redhawks. RWU ends their season with a record of 7-8 while Molloy improves to 9-8 with the win.

How it Happened

• Roberts Wesleyan took an early lead and ended the first quarter ahead 5-2. Goals from freshman Emma Ryan and senior Megan Rugolo kept Molloy within striking distance in the first frame.
• Senior Brenna Signorelli would score back-to-back goals to open the second quarter and bring the Lions within one, 5-4.
• The home team responded with three-straight goals.
• Not to be outdone, the Molloy offense would net the next three markers off the sticks of Signorelli, freshman Ava Benasutti, and senior Sofia Quitoni. Quitoni's goal came in the final minute of the opening half and cut the deficit to just one goal, 8-7, at the break.
• The teams exchanged two goal runs through the first nine minutes of the third quarter with Roberts Wesleyan leading 12-9.
• Qutioni, Rugolo and Signorelli each scored in succession over a span of just over two minutes to knot the score at 12.
• Rugolo's third goal of the contest came in the final minute of the third quarter and gave the Lions the lead for the first time in the contest.
• A goal from Kadie Tierney knotted the score once more and made it an even contest headed into the final 15 minutes of play.
• Ryan scored to kick off the fourth quarter, but Alison Dioguardi responded just 45 seconds later with a tying goal for RWU.
• Qutioni notched what would become the game-winning goal just 30 seconds later before a man up goal from Benasutti gave the Lions some breathing room headed into the final six minutes of game time.
• Emma Blumenstock would bring the Redhawks within one, 16-15 with three minutes to play. 
• Rugolo won the resulting draw and Molloy did not allow Roberts Wesleyan to get a possession until just over two minutes left on the clock. Tierney's shot in the final minute went wide of the cage and Molloy was able to hold onto the ball for a clear before time expired for the victory.

Top Performances

• Signorelli matched a career-high five goals in the effort while adding four draw controls, two ground balls, and two caused turnovers.
• Rugolo also reached five points on three goals and two assists. She topped all players with 10 draw controls and added two ground balls.
• Quitoni added four points on three goals and an assist to go with two caused turnovers and two draw controls.
• Benasutti (three goals) and senior Alexa Amorison (three assists) each had three points.
• Ryan scored twice while senior Alessandra Borsellino dished out two assists.
• Senior Carly Howell also added two ground balls and a caused turnover.
• Sophomore Nicole Schaumloffel made five saves in net.

Up Next
The Lions will take on top-seeded Mercy University for the East Coast Conference crown on Saturday (May 3) from Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. The start time is to be determined. Please visit either www.molloylions.com or www.eccsports.org for all ECC Women's Lacrosse Tournament updates.