FAIRFIELD, CT — In the 26 years that the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) had held the Women's Lacrosse Championship, a five-seed had never reached the title game.
That is, until Friday.
The fifth-seeded Siena Saints (12-6) stamped their names into the history book as the lowest seed to ever reach the MAAC Championship Game by rolling past No. 2 Niagara 18-8 at Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium behind a career-high five goal performance from junior
Cassidy Bonura, a pair of hat tricks from underclassmen
Avery Connolly and
Hailey Deptula as well as a dominant advantage at the draw from junior
Sydney Hannes, who had a game-high 11 draw controls on the day. Defensively, the Saints were up to the task as well, combining for 12 ground balls and 11 caused turnovers in a collective effort.
It was a stark difference from the earlier season meeting between the teams that Niagara had won 10-4 back on March 28 at Niagara University.
Second-seeded Niagara finished 8-9 on the season after running a record of 7-1 in conference play.
The win for Siena tied the program's largest margin of victory in a postseason game (10-goal margin) with the 2021 MAAC Quarterfinals win against Canisius (21-11). Siena has now won six straight games dating back to April 4.
Now, Siena turns their attention to facing top-seed Fairfield (14-3) on Sunday at 11 a.m. on ESPNU in a bid to win their first MAAC Championship. The Stags held off No. 6 Quinnipiac 13-9 and will be playing in their ninth consecutive MAAC Championship and 17
th in program history. They're seeking their 10
th MAAC Championship.
The Saints' offense was bolstered by three player-up goals and a dominant second quarter, where they scored seven times.
The Purple Eagles struck first with a goal from Avery Olschefskie at 11:18, and Maive Partlow extended their lead with a player-up goal at 10:03, assisted by Bianca McGrayne. Siena responded with Bonura scoring on a free position shot at 7:20, followed by goals from
Lauren O'Hagan at 6:12 and
Angie Efstathiou at 3:50, giving the Saints a 3-2 lead by the end of the quarter.
Connolly's goal at 14:08, assisted by
Jenna Pollicino, opened the scoring for Siena in the second quarter. After a draw control by Bonura, Niagara responded with a player-up goal by Maddy Gill at 11:54. Siena then capitalized on a free position attempt with
Sara Curley scoring at 10:25. The Green and Gold extended their lead with goals from Bonura,
Olivia Nicholson, Deptula, and Connolly, each showcasing effective teamwork and coordination. Despite a free-position goal from Niagara's Kensington Keane at 5:15, Siena maintained control throughout the quarter, leading 10-4 by the end.
Siena opened the third quarter with a strong offensive display, securing three consecutive goals by Bonura at 13:43, Connolly at 12:34, and Deptula at 11:40, while Hannes consistently won draw controls. Niagara responded with three goals of its own, including a free position goal by Abberly Dela Rosa at 7:42 and another by Gill at 2:14, narrowing the gap. McGrayne added another for Niagara at 2:03, assisted by Hannah Kent. Siena concluded the quarter with a goal from Curley at 55 seconds, maintaining its lead despite a late goal by Gill for Niagara with 25 seconds remaining. The quarter ended with Siena leading 14-8.
Siena dominated the final quarter, extending its lead with a series of strategic plays.
Elizabeth Wamp opened the scoring for the Saints with a player-up goal at 14:02. Bonura added two more goals, one off a free-position shot at 9:53 and another assisted by Connolly at 2:29. Deptula also contributed with a goal at 7:36. Siena's defense was effective, with Salter making crucial saves, preserving a quarter shutout and concluding the game at 18-8 in favor of the Saints.
Nicholson became the 20
th player in program history to reach the 100-career points plateau while Hannes went over 150 draw controls, becoming just the sixth player to do so in program history.
