LEAVENWORTH – For the second straight season and third time in four years, the No. 2-ranked Raven Women's Lacrosse team has earned the KCAC's automatic berth in the the NAIA National Invitational by winning the KCAC Championship Game.
Benedictine defeated Ottawa University 21-2 on Saturday to earn the conference's auto berth in the the NAIA playoffs for the third time.
The Ravens earn the No. 2 seed in the 2019 NAIA Women's Lacrosse National Invitational Tournament with the win as the NAIA announced the bracket for this year's Invitational earlier on Sunday.
On Saturday, the Ravens opened their game with the Braves with eight straight goals before Ottawa scored their first goal. By halftime the Ravens lead move to 17-1 before the Ravens added four second-half goals as they earned their second win over Ottawa this season.
Natalie Wechter scored the Ravens first goal of the game off an assist from Clare Ryan while Anne Marie Manella kicked in the running clock on a goal from Aiden McEnerney with 12:02 left to play in the first half.
Wechter led the Ravens with six goals, followed by Kacey Moore with four. Manella finished with three while Aiden McEnerney, Emlly Ruhland and Ryan scored two each. Mary McEnerney and Molly Muehlbach rounded out the scoring effort with one goal each. Aiden McEnerney led the Ravens with five assists followed by Ryan with four. Wechter finished with two while Mary McEnerney, Muehlebach, Rachel Schamber and Megan Rossmann added one assist each.
Taryn St. Louis and Teresa Petruccelli split the game in goal each recording a save with one goal allowed. The Ravens held the Braves to just 10 shots whiel forcing 22 turnovers. Moore and Muehlebach led the team with two caused turnovers each while Moore added eight ground balls. Wechter finished with 20 draw controls to round out the Ravens defensive efforts.
Benedictine will travel to Grand Rapids, Mich., next week to compete in the NAIA Lacrosse National Invitational. As the No. 2 seed, the will take on No. 7 Marian University at 1 p.m. (EST) on Thursday, May 9. The two teams met earlier this season back on March 6 with the Ravens earning an 18-7 win.
