A four-goal lead late in the first half turned into a back and forth game, with Tiffin University coming up short late and falling 9-7 to Findlay in the G-MAC Women's Lacrosse Tournament Championship game.
The Dragons (12-7) and Oilers (10-9) battled throughout the game with patient offenses and stingy defenses. Elle Hamilton and Maddy Batley scored in the first 12 minutes, keeping the Dragons even with Findlay at 2-2.
The Dragons then put a run together over a 9:00 minute stretch late in the first half, scoring four straight goals to go ahead 6-2 with 2:53 left in the half. Hamilton had two more goals while Amie Morrison also got in on the scoring with a pair of goals while also assisting on a Hamilton goal. Daniela Carey picked up a couple assists, and the Dragons looked in control with the half coming to a close.
But Findlay did not back down, as the Oilers tallied two quick goals over the final 13 seconds of the half to pull to within 6-4 at halftime.
The momentum shift continued into the second half, with the Dragons trying to patiently execute their offense but missing some golden opportunities. TU had 5 free position shots in the second half but could not convert any of them, finishing 2 for 9 overall.
Findlay got two goals in the first 9 minutes of the half to tie the score 6-6. Morrison responded with a goal off another Carey pass to put TU up 7-6 but Findlay answered three minutes later to tie it 7-7.
Batley gave TU the lead again with 7:32 to play with an unassisted goal, but Findlay responded two minutes later to tie the score again 8-8. Findlay finally took the lead with 3:34 to play on a goal by Brie Caruso.
Tiffin won the ensuing draw but turned the ball over. The Dragons got the ball back and had a free position chance with 1:51 left but the Oilers made the save to preserve the lead. Morrison took the ball inside to try and get off another shot but turned the ball over after a collision. The Oilers managed to run out the clock for the win.
Tiffin had 17 turnovers to Findlay's 12 and were outshot overall 32-22. Tiffin won the draws 11-7.
Morrison finished with 3 goals and an assist. Hamilton also had 3 goals with 6 draws, Batley had 2 goals and 5 draws, while Carey had 3 assists and Regan Rich also had an assist. Kat Schneeberger made 9 saves over 60 minutes.