DANBURY, Conn. - Junior attack Dominique DeMarsico (Danbury, Conn.) scored five goals and assisted on another and was named Most Outstanding Player after leading the Western Connecticut State University women's lacrosse team to the 2021 Little East Conference Tournament Championship with a 13-3 victory over visiting Plymouth State University on Saturday afternoon. 

With the victory, the Colonials earn the program's first-ever trip to the NCAA Division III Championships which begin next weekend.  The NCAA Selection Show is on Monday at 10:30 am and WestConn, which remains undefeated at 9-0, will find out its opponent and site of the first-round match.

DeMarsico tallied 10 goals and two assists in the two Colonials' victories in the league tournament.  She match today's scoreline in Thursday's 11-8 victory over Keene State College.  On the season, she is second on the team with 25 goals.

"This has been a year of first as these ladies have worked so hard all year and it finally paid off," said WestConn interim head coach Meghan Els.  "This would not be possible without the commitment and dedication of the assistant coaches Michael and Kaia Gallop and Andrea Tarsi, and every WestConn student-athlete that showed up everyday with this goal in mind.  For the first time in program history... we are champions"

Senior Caroline Galligan (Marshfield, Mass.), who was stifled on Thursday night  against the Owls, broke out on Saturday and scored five goals and assisted on three others for a team-high eight total points.  In nine outings, she leads the team with 33 goals and 46 points in her final campaign.

Plymouth State, now 7-3 and three-time defending LEC Champions, were paced by Elizabeth McLaughlin (Melvin Village, N.H.) and her two markers.  Emily Santom (Litchfield, N.H.) registered the Panthers only other goal which gave the visitors an early lead, 1-0 at the 5:08 mark. 

Since 2002, the Panthers were making their 13th overall and seventh straight appearance in the LEC title game.

Following Santom's 25 goal of the season, DeMarsico scored three of the game's next four goals including what proved to be the game winner with 11:54 remaining before intermission.  Back-to-back goals from Alexa Riggio (North Massapequa, N.Y.) and Galligan gave the hosts a 5-2 at the break.

WestConn's pesky defense allowed Plymouth State to only score once over the final 30 minutes.  Sophomore goalie Anna Schipf (Babylon, N.Y.) had another outstanding performance between the pipes for the winners.  She made 10 saves.

Freshman Victoria Gracy (Bethel, Conn.), DeMarsico and Galligan scored the Colonials eight second-half goals.

Meaghan Allard (Amherst, N.H.) made eight saves in goal for Plymouth State.