Down 9-0 in a flash, the Fort Lewis College Skyhawks never had a chance at the first Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference tournament trophy.
The FLC women’s lacrosse team scored a pair of quick goals at the end of the first half to cut the Regis Rangers’ lead to 9-2, but the Skyhawks (10-7) never drew any closer, eventually falling 14-5 to Regis University (13-3) in the inaugural RMAC Tournament championship game.
“Regis played their hearts out and better than I’ve ever seen them play. We couldn’t match that,” FLC head coach Kelsey MacDonald said.
FLC senior Jessica Norby led FLC with two goals. Norby’s first goal came 17 seconds after Jam Vertner scored the Skyhawks’ first goal late in the first half.
“Norby played unbelievable. She was obviously scoring, but she was huge on defense, too. She hustled all over and defended the ball,” MacDonald said. “She really worked her butt off and went out in style, along with fellow senior Amanda Cawker, who killed it on defense.”
Marissa DiCecco and Kathryn Dunn added one goal each in the second half. DiCecco also assisted on two goals. It also was Dunn’s last game as the junior will graduate next fall.
FLC was outshot 21-12 in the game and 12-5 in the first half.
Hilary Duda led Regis with 3 goals and two assists. Danica Cutshall had two goals and two assists for the Rangers.
FLC sophomore goalie Alyssa Spencer, a Durango High School alumna, made six saves for the Skyhawks.
The Skyhawks were without four seniors, who skipped the tournament in favor of walking at Saturday’s graduation in Durango.
“I don’t think those players would’ve made a difference (Saturday); Regis just played out of its mind,” MacDonald said. “Our team fought through everything, and it is a great experience for the underclassmen. They now know what it is like to be in a championship game and lose a championship game, and that will fuel their preparation to get back to this game next year.”
The 10 wins for FLC are the most in program history. It was the first year the Skyhawks have competed in the RMAC after spending their first five seasons in the Western Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association.
“We are excited about what we’ve done this year and the progress the seniors made in their four years being a part of the program,” MacDonald said. “We will continue with the returning underclassmen we have and continue to build from here.”
heraldsports@durangoherald.com
RMAC Women’s Lacrosse
Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference
All-Tournament Team
Emily Behr, Regis, MVP
Marissa DiCecco, Fort Lewis
Hilary Duda, Regis
Kathryn Dunn, Fort Lewis
Ashley Eickhoff, Colorado Mesa
Emily Elkins, Regis
Maribel Gallegos, Regis
Gianna Lombardi, Regis
Jessica Norby, Fort Lewis
Erin Todd, Regis
Jam Vertner, Fort Lewis
Brook Wineland, Fort Lewis
Durango Herald
