The NCAA tournaments for lacrosse have begun and the Philadelphia area is well represented in all three divisions. Play started today for a pair of Division III schools, as the Widener Men's team travelled to Denison University while Eastern University's Women's squad made a trip to New York to visit Union College. While both teams fell today (Widener 19-6, Eastern 15-4), there are still plenty of local teams waiting to take their steps towards a possible NCAA title. Here are five games that should not be missed.
1. Haverford at Cabrini (May 10, NCAA Division III Men's)
The battle for Delaware County bragging rights, and the right to possibly face NCAA juggernaut Salisbury in the Quarterfinals. For the Fords (11-4), this is their tourney debut while the Cavaliers (16-2) make their seventh NCAA appearance. The two met in April with Cabrini taking home a 13-8 decision from Haverford. Cabrini is led by a pair of NCAA leaders in Juniors Scott Reimer (63 goals) and Kevin Chenoweth (5.66 GAA) while Haverford's top player is Sophomore Brian Fleishhacker (44 goals, 49 points).
2. West Chester vs. Limestone (May 15, NCAA Division II Women's)
The Golden Rams (18-1) will seek to avenge their lone regular season loss when they faceoff with the Lady Saints (17-1) in the Semifinals in Houston, Texas. The winner will face the victor of the other semifinal between Adelphi and C.W. Post. Limestone spoiled West Chester's season opener with a 9-8 win on March 9. The Golden Rams are seeking their fifth straight trip to the Division II title game and their first national title since 2002. West Chester boasts the #1 and 3 scorers in Division II (Stephanie Kienle with 134 points and Jackie Baker with 111 points) and the #2 goalie (Mary Green, 6.41 GAA). Limestone will counter with goalie Erin Cavanaugh (7.75 GAA, 5th NCAA).
3. Colgate at Penn (May 11, NCAA Division I Women's)
The Quakers (14-1), seeded second in the Women's Division I bracket, host Colgate (11-9). Penn rides into the postseason on a hot streak, including a victory over three time defending champion Northwestern while Colgate won the championship of the Patriot League. Penn's Sarah Waxman is the top goalie in Division I Women's lax while the Quakers as a team are tops overall defensively.
4. Temple at Maryland (May 11, NCAA Division I Women's)
The Atlantic 10 champion Owls (13-6) are making their first tourney appearance since 2004, but this will be their third straight NCAA game against the Terrapins (17-2), who defeated Temple in the 2003 and 2004 tournaments. Temple will need to stop Maryland top score and draw expert in Dana Dobbie (66 goals, 114 draw controls). Temple's Whitney Richards (fifth, 2.29 turnovers caused per game) and Berkley Summerlin (ninth, 1.94) will look to slow down the Maryland attack.
5. Montclair St. at Rowan (May 7, NCAA Division III Women's)
The two longtime New Jersey rivals meet in the first round of the D-III Women's tourney. Montclair defeated Rowan 13-9 on April 19.
Also appearing in the Division III Women's tournnament are the Lions of the College of New Jersey, who will face the winner of Claremont-Mudd Scripps and Ohio Wesleyan on May 10.
Our final feature for 2008 will rank the area's five top teams upon completion of postseason play.
