" PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Georgetown (13-5) beat Syracuse (13-6) by the score of 13-11 in the title game of the BIG EAST women’s lacrosse championship to capture its first tournament title before a sun-splashed crowd of 636 at Ronald N. Yurcak Field on the campus of Rutgers University. Hoyas senior Molly Ford scored a game-high four goals, including the eventual game-winner and was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.

Ford scored three goals in the first half and helped the Hoyas to a slight 8-7 lead at halftime. But in a contest with seven ties, the advantage was short-lived.

Syracuse held its first lead of the contest 9-8 with 24:35 left in the second half as junior Tee Ladouceur put home a feed from freshman Tegan Brown. Ladouceur, who was later named to the all-tournament team turned in a complete effort on the afternoon as she totaled four points, including three goals along with two draw controls, one caused turnover and one draw control.

Georgetown quickly tied it 9-9 with 22:54 left in the contest as freshman Sophia Thomas got in on the scoring. The Hoyas added two more and accounted for four of the next five scores to put things away.

Jordy Kirr, who was named to the all-tournament team, chipped in three goals and an assist while senior goalkeeper Caitlin Formby made five saves in net.

As has been the case all season, Georgetown again used a balanced scoring attack as seven different players scored. It also was the highest scoring title game in the four-year history of the BIG EAST Championship and extended Georgetown’s program-record 10-game win streak. There were seven ties in the game.

“I have to say it was a huge team victory for us and a great team effort again,” said Georgetown head coach Ricky Fried. “When an aspect of our game wasn’t going well other people picked it up,” continued the BIG EAST Coach of the Year. “I’m really happy for the seniors because they’ve been through so much and they really deserve this.”

GU outshot Syracuse 25-22, but had fewer ground balls (12-9) and draw controls (14-12).

The Hoyas held Syracuse without a goal for almost 15 minutes down the stretch before Brown put one home with 1:58 remaining in the game. Syracuse senior Christina Dove, who was named the BIG EAST Midfielder of the Year for the second straight season, totaled four points, including two goals and two assists.

Syracuse goalkeeper Liz Hogan tallied 11 saves in the game and became the school’s all-time leader. The junior made seven stops in the first half and with that performance increased her career saves total to 484, bettering Carla Gigon’s previous record of 475 (2000-03). Hogan has reached double figures in saves in seven of her last 11 games.

“We fought to the end, but it didn’t go our way,” said Syracuse head coach Gary Gait.

Both teams donned orange apparel wearing an assortment of wrist bands and bandannas as a symbol of compassionate solidarity for Virginia student-athlete Yeardley Love.

With the win Georgetown earns the league’s automatic berth into the 16-team NCAA Championship field. The complete NCAA Championship field will be released on Sunday, May 9 at 10 p.m. ET on the CBS College Sports Network. (DirecTV – Channel 613 / Dish Network – Channel 152).

All-Tournament Team^
Grace Gavin, Loyola
Shaylyn Blaney, Notre Dame
Gina Scioscia, Notre Dame
Ellie Hilling, Notre Dame
Tegan Brown, Syracuse
Christina Dove, Syracuse
Tee Ladouceur, Syracuse
Halley Quillinan, Syracuse
Jordy Kirr, Georgetown
Molly Ford, Georgetown
Ashby Kaestner, Georgetown
Logan McCraw, Georgetown
Caitlin Formby, Georgetown
^an extra member was added to the all-tournament team

Most Outstanding Player
Molly Ford, Georgetown"