LEXINGTON- The Transylvania Women's Lacrosse team has punched their ticket to the 2024 NCAA Women's Lacrosse Championships! Today the Pioneers dominated in the Heartland Collegiate Lacrosse Conference Championship game where they faced Anderson University. Anderson is the last team the Pioneers faced to cap off the regular season, beating them 21-8; now playing for the Championship the Pioneers would win again, defeating Anderson 19-4. This win has given the Pioneers an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament as they find out what's next Monday, May 6th at 10:30AM.

This game would be competitive in the quarter as the Pioneers would score 4 goals to Anderson's 1 with the Pioneers playing a zone today. This slowed the pace of play and allowed each team to set up and test their offensive and defensive sets. The Pioneers would soon be able to pick apart Anderson's strategy, overwhelming the Anderson defense in the second quarter. 

Head Coach Rachael Bragg would say this about the defensive effort "I couldn't be more proud of this team and how hard they worked. Grace, Libby and our entire defense stepped up big time. Honestly proud is an understatement!"  

The Pioneers were the only ones to score in the second quarter, ballooning their lead after a 10-0 run. This run would allow the Pioneers to force a running clock, while the Pioneers would continue to keep a safe lead. Offensive efforts would be led by Charlotte Green, who would end the game with an impressive 7 goals, 1 assist, 1 ground ball, 1 caused turnover, and 7 draw controls.

Green would not be the only one to have an impressive game as 7 individual Pioneers would score in today's contest. Sofie Garrett would post an impressive 4 goals, 2 assists, 2 caused turnovers, balanced by great defensive play from the Pioneers. Defensively Linley Dawson would have an impactful game causing a game high 4 caused turnovers, adding to this 5 ground balls, and an assist. Playing goalie today for the Pioneers were both Grace Smilek and Libby Bringard, as Smilek made the slide from defense to goalie, then first career clock for Bringard as the goalie. Smilek would have a career high 5 saves on the night, followed by Bringard's career high 3 saves.  

Bragg would add: "It was a fantastic team win tonight! Each member of this team contributed to the championship win tonight." 

Following the completion of the championship game, the HCLC named an all-tournament team. The Pioneers had 4 athletes honored. 
Members of the 2024 HCLC Women's Lacrosse All-Tournament Team are: (listed alphabetically)
Emma Beach, Spalding University

-Diana Bruder, Transylvania University 
-Katte Escobar, Anderson University 
-Sofie Garrett, Transylvania University  
-Charlotte Green, Transylvania University 
-Lillie Casey, Anderson University
-Emma Sego, Anderson University
-Sophia Sparks, Transylvania University  
-Riley Tull, Anderson University
-Taylor Young, Spalding University


The Pioneers now wait to find out where they will be sent for the 2024 NCAA Tournament as the selection show will air May 6th at 10:30AM. You can watch along with the team HERE Monday morning.