WOOSTER, Ohio--
Liza Farnham's shot on a fastbreak beat the buzzer and sent No. 9 Denison to an incredible 14-13 win over the College of Wooster to capture the 2021 North Coast Athletic Conference Championship.
Seconds after Wooster tied the game at 13-13 with 29 seconds left, the Fighting Scots controlled the ensuing draw and quickly went on offense looking to pull out the victory. Denison's
Grace Hanson stepped in front of a Wooster pass and made the interception and quickly got the ball to Farnham who was in a 60-yard sprint against her defender and the clock. Farnham beat the defender and took a shot while one on one with the goalie that found nylon as time expired.
The win gives Denison it's 22
nd NCAC Championship in women's lacrosse. The Big Red will also receive the conference's automatic bid to the 2021 NCAA Division III Tournament. Denison has won five straight conference championships dating back to 2016.
Denison led 7-5 at halftime and the lead grew to as many as four on four different occasions. With 11:32 left in the second half, Emma Reopke scored to put the Big Red on top 13-9.
Wooster responded with two goals from Ashley Boersma and two from Alexa Mellis to the tie the game, setting the stage for a frantic final 29 second that ended with Farnham's walk-off winner.
Denison and Wooster each attempted 34 shots and the Fighting Scots held a 25-17 advantage in ground balls. Big Red goalie
Caroline O'Dea posted nine saves, with six coming in the second half. She was named the NCAC Tournament Most Valuable Player in the postgame awards ceremony.
Denison was led in scoring by
Molly Fischer who finished with four goals. Farnham, Reopke, and
Ryann Yospa had two goals and one assist.
Charlotte Godfrey led all players with nine draw controls while
Jane Bailey led DU with four ground balls while chipping in one goal and two assists.
Wooster got four goals from Mellis and three goals and one assist from Boersma. Katie Shideler finished with 14 saves for the Fighting Scots.
In addition to this being Denison's 22
nd NCAC Championship, it also marks the program's 15
th NCAC Tournament championship and the seventh-straight dating back to 2014.
The 2021 NCAA Division III championship field will be announced on Monday, May 3 at 10:30 a.m. on
ncaa.com.
