EASTON, Mass. - The Long Island University women's lacrosse team (12-6, 8-1 NEC) claimed its second consecutive Northeast Conference Championship after downing top-seeded Stonehill College (11-7, 8-1 NEC), 14-9, on Saturday night at W.B. Mason Stadium. Ava Taylor and Julia Trainor led the Sharks with three goals and an assist apiece as the Sharks earned the conference's automatic berth into the NCAA championship.

After an early lightning delay less than five minutes into the game, the Sharks trailed 3-1 midway through the first quarter. With 7:09 left in the first, Taylor scored her 30^th goal of the season, pulling LIU within one, 3-2. Just over five minutes later, Lindsey Lucia found the back of the net, tying the game, 3-3.

The Sharks used a 3-0 scoring run to take the lead for the first time, 4-3, with 11:33 to go in the second quarter, when Alexa Nuzzi scored, assisted by Taylor.

With the game tied 4-4 in the middle of the second period, another nearby strike forced the game into a second lightning delay that lasted nearly 90 minutes.

After returning from the break, a late-first half goal by Pierson Schuchart gave LIU a 6-5 halftime lead.

In the second half, the Sharks pulled away. LIU rattled off six consecutive goals, sparked by a pair from Taylor late in the third quarter to take a 13-7 lead with 4:08 remaining in the game.

Taylor was named Tournament MVP for her performance. Mylie Norton, who made six saves in goal, was named to the all-tournament team along with Trainor and Ally Taranto.

The Sharks will learn their first-round opponent on Sunday night, May 4, at 9 p.m. during the NCAA Women's Lacrosse Selection Show, televised live on ESPNU.