The Blue Devils netted consecutive goals to take their first lead of the at 3-2, but the Ravens answered with a goal in the closing seconds of the quarter to even the score at 3.
Lawrence Tech’s Anabella Acluche made a pair of saves in the opening four minutes of the second quarter to keep the score tied. The Blue Devils retook the lead, as Bella Burke scooped the ground ball off a save and put it into the back of the cage making it 4-3 with 11:01 left. The Ravens’ Margo Gelbach converted a free position at the 9:46 mark to even the score at 4, the same score at halftime.
The Blue Devils won the draw control to start the third quarter, and on that possession, Hannah Huebner bounced a shot into the cage to put Lawrence Tech in front 5-4 just over a minute in. Benedictine responded, netting four of the next five goals, including three from Erica Odell, to put the Ravens in front 8-6 heading into the four quarter.
Lawrence Tech came out strong in the fourth quarter with back-to-back goals, including one from Abby Barnwold at the 8:44 mark to tie the score at 8. Minutes later, Stalletti stopped a free position shot, and on the ensuing transition, Wechter pushed the ball up to Ryan for a player-down goal to put Benedictine in front 9-8 with 4:08 remaining.
The Blue Devils looked for the equalizer down the stretch, but the Ravens forced three turnovers and ran out the clock to capture their first women’s lacrosse championship.
Tournament MVP: Erica Odell, Benedictine (Kan.)
NAIA ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM
Erica Odell, M, Tournament MVP – Benedictine (Kan.)
Aidan McEnerney, A – Benedictine (Kan.)
Abbey Smentowski, A – Lawrence Tech (Mich.)
Clare Ryan, A – Benedictine (Kan.)
Melanie Brown, A – Keiser (Fla.)
Morgan McGhee, M – Reinhardt (Ga.)
Natalie Wechter, M – Benedictine (Kan.)
Bella Burke, M – Lawrence Tech (Mich.)
Jaisanna Jarvis, D – Lawrence Tech (Mich.)
Angela Schacchiatano, D – Reinhardt (Ga.)
Grace Gibson, D – SCAD (Ga.)
Margeaux Gelbach, D – Benedictine (Kan.)
Annabella Acluche, G – Lawrence Tech (Mich.)