LEXINGTON, KY. – Transylvania University defeated Anderson University in the 2025 Heartland Collegiate Women's Lacrosse Conference Championship on Friday night in convincing fashion.

Transylvania first year coach Brianna McCulley led her Pioneer team to a 19 - 3 Championship game victory over the Ravens that capped off an undefeated 2025 HCLC campaign and secured the Pioneer's bid to the upcoming NCAA Division III Women's Lacrosse Championship. 

Transylvania took an early lead less than a minute into the contest on a goal from Lula Thompson (Lexington, KY) and never looked back, leading the game by 13 points going into the halftime break and cruising through the remainder of the contest.

Offensively, the Pioneers got key contributions from Tanya Barbee (Louisville, KY) who had five goals.  Charlotte Green (Northville, Michigan), and Sofie Garrett (Stone Mountain, Georgia) each added four goal performances on the night.  Avery Kirkhope (Lexington, KY) led all players in the assist category, with an impressive four contributions on the evening.

The Pioneer defense limited Anderson to seven shots on goal for the night.  Defensively, the notable performances of Thompson with four caused turnovers and Diana Bruder (Marietta, Georgia), with three caused turnovers of her own, led the way.

Grace Smilek-Edwards (Richmond, Virginia) spent all sixy minutes between the pipes for the Pioneers and only allowed three goals to the same Ravens team who came into the night after a nine goal semifinal performance against Spalding.

Transylvania now awaits the NCAA Division III Women's Lacrosse selection show, to be held on Monday, May 5th at 10:30 a.m., to determine their first-round matchup.

Following the completion of the championship game, the HCLC named an all-tournament team.  Members of the 2025 HCLC Women's Lacrosse All-Tournament Team are: (listed alphabetically)

Tanya Barbee, Transylvania University

Emma Beach, Spalding University

Lauren Brown, Anderson University

Diana Bruder, Transylvania University

Katte Escobar, Anderson University

Sophie Garrett, Transylvania University

Charlotte Green, Transylvania University

Nicole Hollowell, Spalding University

Avery Jarosinksi, Anderson University

Avery Kirkhope, Transylvania University

Alli Rastrelli, Anderson University

Lula Thompson, Transylvania University

For more information on HCLC Women's Lacrosse,  go to the HCAC's home on the internet at www.heartlandconf.org. Be sure to stay up to date on all of your Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference news by following @HCACDIII on Twitter and by liking the "HCAC DIII" Facebook page.