May 12, 2007
DENVER, Colo. -- Cal Poly's Brittany Jones scored eight goals to lead Cal Poly to a 16-9 victory over Navy in the championship game of the 2007 US Lacrosse Women's Division Intercollegiate Associates championship at the University of Denver. The championship was the seventh consecutive for Cal Poly, which is now 25-0 all-time in US Lacrosse WDIA tournament play. Navy ends its year with an 18-5 record.
Cal Poly, which had to come back from a four-goal deficit in its semifinal victory over Colorado State, led from start to finish. The Mustangs scored the first six goals of the game with Jones, and her sister Janelle, doing most of the damage. Brittany Jones had three goals in the opening spurt and Janelle Jones had two goals and an assist.
"Obviously, we got off to a bad start. It's hard to rally against a team as good as Cal Poly is when you are behind early," said Navy head coach Cindy Timchal. "I was proud of the way we fought back, but we just fell behind too much too early."
Navy scored three of the last four goals of the first half, all by Mary Ruttum, to get within 7-3 at the half, but the Mids were unable to carry over the momentum into the second half. Julie Friesen and Brittany Jones scored goals for Cal Poly in the opening three minutes of the second half.
Navy pulled to within 11-7 on Erin Rawlick's third goal of the game with 11:22 to play, but Brittany Jones' seventh goal of the game ignited a three-goal Cal Poly run that put the game out of reach.
Erin Rawlick concluded her freshman season with six points (4 g, 2 a). Rawlick finished the campaign with 127 points (91 g, 36 a). Another freshman, Mary Ruttum, scored three goals to finish the season with 97 points (66 g, 31 a). Amanda Towey added a goal and an assist to boost her season-point total to a team-best 128 points (71 g, 57 a). Senior co-captain Elise Chapdelaine ended her senior season with one goal against Cal Poly. Natalie Blandon stopped five shots in goal, while Vanessa Nieves made four saves.
Navy ended the year with an 18-5 record, with just two losses coming to Non-Division I teams. The Mids recorded one win over a Division I foe, Howard, in their final year as a club team. Navy will play a full Patriot League and NCAA schedule next year.
"I was happy with the commitment and dedication the girls gave this year," said Timchal. "We have developed a strong base to build on when we go to Division I next year. This was a fun year to be a part of."
# GO NAVY #
