Queens Wins 2016 South Atlantic Conference Women’s Lacrosse Championship

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Queens University of Charlotte women's lacrosse team, ranked 15th in the nation, grabbed their third straight South Atlantic Conference Women's Lacrosse Championship Title tonight after defeating Lenoir-Rhyne University 16-8 at the Queens Sports Complex. The win is the Royals' 12th in a row and helps Queens improve to 17-2 on the year. The Bears fall to 11-7.

Despite outshooting the Bears 20-8 in the opening half, Queens would hold just a 6-3 lead at the break due to 11 saves recorded by Ines Flueck. Following a goal from Aubriana Benedetto of the Bears, Queens would put three goals in a row on the board to lead 3-1 with 15:05 left to play. The Royals then traded a pair of goals with the Bears before Brittany Larranaga closed the half with her 34th goal of the season to give the Royals a three-point halftime lead.

Following a three and a half hour lightning delay at the half, Queens returned to the field to outscore the Bears 10-5 for the win. After trading goals with the Bears at the start of the period, a 3-0 run would ignite the Royals offense as they led 10-5 with 19:03 to play. Queens then scored five consecutive goals over a span of eight minutes to take control of things for good.

The Royals outshot Lenoir-Rhyne 36-15, putting 30 shots on goal. Queens also totaled 27 ground balls and 14 draw controls in the victory. Christine Wiese totaled five saves for the win in goal.

Abigail Paulus led all on the field with nine points after scoring five goals and dishing out four assists. The SAC Championship MVP also tallied three caused turnovers and two ground balls. Brittany Larranaga recorded a hat trick, while Gabby Farina and Shannon Mansberger notched two goals apiece. Hanna Scott completed play with one goal and three assists, and Kourtney Goebel added one goal and one assist. Kelly Dowd tallied one goal to go along with her five ground balls, two caused turnovers and two draw controls, while Alexandra Bruder chipped in with a goal.

Aubriana Benedetto toaled two goals and two assists to lead the Bears, while Gabby Sousa added two goals and one assist. Ines Flueck completed play in goal with 14 saves.

The 2016 SAC Women's Lacrosse All-Tournament Team is listed below.