TRAFFORD, Pa. (pacathletics.org) - After trailing by as many as three for much of the first half, top-seeded Grove City College scored eight of the game's final nine goals and shut out third-seeded Chatham University in the second half to claim an 11-7 victory in the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) Women's Lacrosse Tournament Championship Game, held at Grove City's Robert E. Thorn Field.

The victory gives Grove City (12-6) their second consecutive PAC title and first under first-year head coach Emma Olson.

The Cougars (11-7) made sure it would be a hard-earned win for the Wolverines by leading the entire first half. Chatham senior Sam Beall-Dennell (Sykesville, Md./Century) notched the initial goal at 12:49 of the first quarter, but that was answered 32 seconds later by a score from Grove City senior Abby Roetering (Glenelg, Md./Glenelg). Chatham went back in front with just under 11 minutes left in the quarter on another goal by Beall-Dennell, who scored her third at 7:39 for a 3-1 lead. The Cougars' lead grew to 4-1 on a goal by senior Erin Goodwin (Milford, Conn./Jonathan Law) later in the quarter and it would be a 4-1 Chatham lead going into the second period.

The two teams exchanged scores through the first half of the second quarter and when Chatham's freshman Tessa Hueber (Cape May, NJ/Lower Cape May Regional) scored at 7:22 of the quarter, it was still a three-goal cushion for the Cougars at 6-3. Grove City began chipping away with a pair of goals from sophomore Gwen Shilling (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional) and sophomore Jess Robinette (Mohnton, Pa./Twin Valley) before Chatham got one back when Beall-Dennell scored her fourth of the game. The Wolverines built some momentum for the second half and trimmed their deficit to one by halftime when sophomore Taylor Blythe (Mendon, N.Y./Honeoye Falls-Lima) scored with 14 ticks on the clock to make it a 7-6 Cougar lead at the break.

It didn't take long for Grove City to draw even in the second half, as junior Jackie Rowell (Laurel, Md./Reservoir) notched an unassisted goal just one minute into the half. The Wolverines took their lead of the game at 11:15 when Shilling picked up the go-ahead goal. Aided by being up a person for most of the third quarter, Grove City would tack on three more goals by the end of the period. The scores came in the final five minutes of the quarter, with goals by Rowell, Robinette and then Roetering with 10 seconds to play lifting the Wolverines to an 11-7 advantage going into the final period.

After shutting out Chatham while allowing just one shot in the third quarter, Grove City's defense continued to stymie the Cougars in the fourth. Chatham managed just two shots in the final 15 minutes and only one on goal, while Grove City dominated the time of possession in the quarter. Neither team would score in the final quarter and Grove City would cement the 11-7 win and the repeat title.

Shilling led Grove City's offense with three goals, while Robinette scored twice as part of a four-point game. Roetering and Rowell both had two goals and an assist. Blythe had a goal and an assist while sophomore midfielder Tori Stevenson (Butler, Pa./Butler) also scored. 

Roetering also led the defense with four caused turnovers. Robinette, Rowell, Stevenson and senior defender Amber Wartman (Ellicott City, Md./Mount Hebron) all caused two turnovers apiece. Overall, the Wolverines pressured Chatham into 28 turnovers.

For Chatham, Beall-Dennell finished with five points on four goals and an assist. Hueber scored a goal and added an assist, while sophomore Sarah Holt (Export, Pa./Franklin Regional) and Goodwin each had a goal. Hueber led the team with seven draw controls and four ground balls. 

With the victory, Grove City also earned the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The field for this year's Division III Championship will be announced Monday, May 5 on NCAA.com, with first and second round games scheduled for Saturday-Sunday, May 10-11. 

2025 Presidents' Athletic Conference Women's Lacrosse Championship
Quarterfinals - Tuesday, April 29 - campus site
No. 4 Westminster 17, No. 5 Thiel 8 - Box Score

Quarterfinals - Wednesday, April 30 - at Saint Vincent College
No. 3 Chatham 18, No. 6 Allegheny 8 - Box Score

Semifinals - Thursday, May 1 - campus sites
No. 3 Chatham 12, No. 2 Washington & Jefferson 11 - Box Score
No. 1 Grove City 17, No. 4 Westminster 7 - Box Score

Championship - Saturday, May 3
No. 1 Grove City 11, No. 3 Chatham 7 - Box Score