Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. - For the first time in the history of the program, the Molloy women's lacrosse team reigns as East Coast Conference Championship. The third-seeded Lions topped first-seeded Mercy by a score of 15-13 this afternoon from Mercy Field. Senior attacker Megan Rugolo was dubbed the tournament's Most Outstanding Player at the conclusion of the game.

Molloy improved to 10-8 on the season while Mercy fell to 10-7. Molloy will await the NCAA Selection Show tomorrow (May 4) at 8:30 p.m. to learn their first round opponent.

How it Happened

• The Mavericks started out strong, scoring the contest's first three goals.
• Rugolo scored 30 seconds into a woman-up opportunity to get Molloy on the board.
• Mercy increased the lead to 5-1 five minutes into the second quarter with back-to-back goals.
• From there, the tide shifted in favor of the Lions, who mounted a seven-goal second quarter. Senior Sofia Quitoni and Rugolo would score within one minute of one another. 
• Senior Alexa Amorison would then score back-to-back goals over a span of 73 seconds to knot the game at five.
• The teams would then exchange scores before a free position goal in the final minute of the first half from Rugolo gave Molloy an 8-7 advantage at the half.
• The score would be tied three times in the third quarter with Mercy scoring last this time and carrying an 11-10 lead into the final 15 minutes of play.
• Rugolo would score the next four goals for the cardinal and white to give the Lions a two goal cushion, 14-12, with just 5:29 left to play.
• Mercy quickly responded with a goal from Ashlinn Kelly to come within one, but Amorison's goal with 2:19 on the clock iced the game for Molloy.
• The Mavs fired a shot in the final 30 seconds, but sophomore Nicole Schaumloffel made a save to hold the advantage before the Lions ran out the clock to earn the title.

Top Performances

• Rugolo's career-best performance earned her the Most Outstanding Player honor. The senior had a career-high eight goals and added an assist for nine points to go with six draw controls and a career-best four caused turnovers.
• Amorison (three goals, one assist) and Quitoni (four goals) each added four points. Quitoni had three ground balls and three caused turnovers.
• Schaumloffel led with four ground balls to go with four saves.
• Senior Carly Howell matched Rugolo's four caused turnovers.
• Freshman Ryleigh Zamora had four draw controls.

The NCAA Selection Show will be available for stream tomorrow night at 8:30 p.m. from ncaa.com.