Lacrosse Earns Top Seed in ECAC Tournament

Tournament Bracket | Tournament History

SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (May 10, 2010) – After posting a 10-6 record during the regular season, the Mount Holyoke College women’s lacrosse team has secured the top seed in the 2010 ECAC Division III New England Championship. The Lyons will be making their third trip to the ECAC Tournament. They also took part in both 1993 and 1994.

Mount Holyoke is slated to face off against fourth seeded Husson University (11-2-1) on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. On the other side of the four team bracket, second seeded Plymouth State University (10-5) will meet up with third seeded Keene State College (12-5) 1:00 p.m. The winners of those games will meet in the Championship on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. Both semifinal round matchups, as well as the Championship, will take place at Plymouth State’s Arold Field

Under the direction of third year head coach Miriam Esber, the Lyons have piled up 10 wins thus far this season. It is their most since the 1995 season, when longtime head coach Mike Hyer’s squad posted a 10-6 mark. Hyer’s 1993 team recorded a program record 13 victories.

Esber’s Lyons are currently ranked second in the nation in draw controls per game with 19.13. In addition, their 228 goals and 306 draw controls are both program single season highs. Over the course of the year, they have strung together three consecutive victories on two occasions.

With Esber leading the way, Mount Holyoke posted a record of 3-3 in NEWMAC play this season. The Lyons third place finish was their best since the 2000 season. After picking up wins over Wellesley College (19-10), Springfield College (12-11) and Smith College (16-3) during the regular season, they rolled to a 15-6 triumph over Wheaton College in the quarterfinal round of the NEWMAC Tournament. It was their first victory over Wheaton since 1998. With the win, they advanced to the semifinal round of the NEWMAC Tournament for the first time since the 2006 season.

Esber was named NEWMAC Coach of the Year for her efforts. Meanwhile, senior midfielders Peggy Wefald and Perry Markell earned NEWMAC All-Conference First Team accolades and junior defender Bianca Young was voted to the NEWMAC All-Conference Second Team.

2010 ECAC Division III New England Women’s Lacrosse Championship

Semifinals – Saturday, May 15 at Plymouth State University
#3 Keene State College (12-5) vs. #2 Plymouth State University (10-5), 1:00 p.m.
#4 Husson University (11-2-1) vs. #1 Mount Holyoke College (10-6), 3:00 p.m.

Championship – Sunday, May 16 at Plymouth State University
Semifinal Winners, 1:00 p.m.