In DII Women’s action, the East Stroudsburg Warriors (19-1) advanced to the Semi-Finals with a thrilling 13-12 defeat of the (17-3) West Chester Golden Rams.
A wild final five minutes resulted in five goals with a sixth just :44 into extra time.
Kevin M. Neibauer
LaxPhilly– A Division of the Edge of Philly Sports Network
How it Happened..
A low scoring first half with just 8 markers started by The Rams jumping to a 3-0 advantage when Lindsay Monigle (5g,2a) followed by a pair furnished by, Hannah Stanislawczynk (5g) nailing her 78th at 6:57. With twenty eight ticks remaining Gianna Leduc (1g,3a) closed the gap and the scoring in the opening quarter.
End of First, 3-1 West Chester.
Second Quarter:
ESU built on the Leduc marker when Kayleigh Pokrova (1a) sent a pretty pass that Kiki Fitzpatrick (3g,2a) buried. Leduc did the work for Lauren Neufeld (1g). Monigle set up Keri Barnett (1g) on the advantage with player of the game, Emily Mitarotondo (7g) reversing the 3-1 West Chester first.
To the Half, 7-7 deadlock.
Things Continued to Stay Tight:
Stanislawczyk picked up her 79th on a nifty solo effort at the 13:47 mark ESU would embark on a three goal rally furnished by, Sophia Graffeo (1g, Mitarotondo (76th) and ended with Fitpatrick throwing in her 52nd. Julia Littlewood (1g) at 2:29 ended the run and the third stanza
End of Three: 7-6 the ESU way.
Let the Wildness Begin:
By wild, we are talking 11 combined scores that turned this contest into an epic classic. Mitarotondo started things with markers at 12:33 and a second twenty seconds later giving the Warriors a three goal edge at 9-6. Monigle hit rope for 44th to cut it to a two goal lead. Fitzpatrick pushed it back to three goals with Monigle followed by an advantage marker from Stanislawczyk, her 80th, With 6:57 remaining, the intensity picked up with a 10-9 game.
Mitarotondo buried a Fitzpatrick set up while shorthanded. Thirty one seconds later, Monigle buried another advantage tally followed fifty three later with another Monigle marker, this time at even strength. With 3:36 to play, Mitarotonda scored yet another advantage goal. West Chester countered courtesy of Monigle doing the work for the 81st from Stanislawczyk to get it even at 12. Regulation ended and Kiki Fitzpatrick won the draw for West Chester but, the Warriors forced a turnover that resulted in Leduc spotting a wide open, Mitarotonda who went in alone and ended the festivities just :44 in.
Facts:
• The Warriors join Adelphi, University of Indianapolis and their opponent, #1 seed, Queens. The contest between ESU and Queens is scheduled for 5pm May 20th.
• Shots favored ESU by a 29-23 margin as well as Shots on net, 25-19. Ground balls went the way of West Chester,17-12 as well as Turnovers, 25-19.
• Jessica Gorr made 12 stops in 60:44 for ESU with McKenzie Gaghan turning aside 7 West Chester shots.
East Stroudsburg Moves on in Thrilling Fashion

Kevin has followed and promoted the game of lacrosse since May 19, 1974.
The same day the Philadelphia Flyers won the Cup, the Philadelphia Wings were introduced to Neibauer and Philadelphia.
Kevin has covered many sports, including baseball, football, basketball, and.. lacrosse. A former licensed football referee and baseball umpire, Kevin brings a unique insight to his game coverage.
A published writer in JustHockey Magazine, Kevin covered the American Hockey League as well as a monthly story on a pugilist where Kevin used the pen name, The Rink Rat. Neibauer turned his attentions to lacrosse for a few years and does his part, whether podcasting or writing to grow the game. Kevin branched out to his roots and currently provides insight for all Philadelphia teams for Edge of Philly as well as his full-time duties with LaxPhilly.