MADISON, N.J. – The Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham women's lacrosse team is heading back to the NCAA Tournament for the second straight season after defeating Misericordia University 14-4 at Robert T. Shields Field on Saturday afternoon.
With the win, the Devils (13-6) make it back-to-back MAC Freedom Championships and their fourth title in the last five seasons.
Reigning MAC Freedom Rookie of the Year Megan Nemeth was named the tournament's most outstanding player by tallying 14 saves in Saturday's finale. The freshman goalkeeper consistently turned away the Cougars (10-8) throughout the afternoon, including a stingy 1-for-12 effort on free-position shots.
All-MAC Freedom first teamers Joelle Manganella and Brienna Reasoner led the way offensively for the Devils with five and four goals, respectively. Manganella also dished out two assists for a seven-point afternoon, while Reasoner appeared all over the field with seven draw controls, four caused turnovers and four groundballs in the win.
From the first whistle, the Devils made it clear that they were on a mission to repeat as conference champions. Manganella opened the scoring 3:39 into action with an unassisted score. She then set up senior Brianna Capobianco, which set off a string of five-unanswered goals for the Devils.
Brittni Calleo netted the Devils' third score and Manganella and Reasoner each tallied another as FDU-Florham led 5-0 less than 10 minutes into action.
Misericordia's Lindsay Kim broke through with the Cougars' first goal at the 12-minute mark before Reasoner quickly erased it with a goal of her own.
With 8:36 to go in the opening half, Manganella received the ball at the top left of the circle and swiftly darted through the defense before depositing her third of the day into the back of the net for a 7-1 lead.
Just 56 seconds shy of intermission, Cara Spector closed the first-half scoring by tallying the Cougars' second goal, which resulted in a 7-2 score at the break.
After the Cougars netted three of the first four goals of the second half and pulled within four (8-4), the Devils regained their composure and held Misericordia scoreless over the game's final 25:51.
FDU-Florham added to its cushion by scoring the last six goals of the day, including a fantastic lead pass from Frances Maggio to Reasoner, which Reasoner rapidly buried past the Misericordia netminder for the Devils' 10th goal.
Capobianco and Calleo each scored two goals, while freshman Hannah Aull tallied the final goal of the afternoon.
With her five-goal performance, Manganella increased her team-leading total to 44 goals on the season. Reasoner upped her total to 42 goals and Capobianco moved to 36 on the campaign.
In addition to her 14 stops, Nemeth also nabbed four groundballs and caused a turnover in the win.
The Devils now await their first round opponent, which will be announced during the NCAA's selection show on Sunday afternoon. The 2016 NCAA Division III Women's Lacrosse Tournament is set to begin next Saturday, May 14.
