AACC WLax Repeats as Region 20 Champs, Advances to Nat'l Tournament

Anne Arundel Community College’s women’s lacrosse team earned a trip to the 2012 NJCAA National Championship Tournament with their win over CCBC Essex in the Region 20 Tournament this weekend.

The Pioneers hosted the tournament and entered as the top seed drawing CCBC Essex in the opening round. AACC put it on early carrying a 10-4 lead into halftime. Allowing just one goal in the second half, the Pioneers defeated Essex 16-5 to advance to the championship round of the tournament. Meghenn Jackson and Mary Milligan each scored six goals in the game. Jackson added a pair of assists. Nina Herron scored twice and earned four assists. Erika Arrildt scored twice with an assist and Karlee Zywusko had one assist. Brittany Kincer earned nine saves.

The other opening round game was Nassau CC versus Howard CC in a match-up of the second and third seeds in the tournament. Due to a combined district tournament a Nassau victory meant AACC secured the region championship and a trip to nationals but a Howard victory meant a combined region and district title game between AACC and Howard. Nassau CC is not a member of Region 20 with AACC, Howard and CCBC Essex which is why the Region championship is decided amongst those three schools.

Nassau CC defeated Howard in a high scoring game, 22-13, advancing to the District championship game against AACC and also securing a spot in the National Tournament. The Pioneers took an early advantage and led 6-1 at the half. With their backs against the wall Nassau came out strong in the second half scoring seven goals. The Pioneers would only score one more goal in the second half losing the game 7-8. Mary Milligan led the Pioneers with four goals. She also had one assist. Meghenn Jackson scored twice and Karlee Zywusko scored once. Nina Herron earned three assists and Erika Arrildt had one.

Despite the loss, Anne Arundel (17-1) already secured their second consecutive region title and a trip to Nationals with the win against CCBC Essex. In the opening round of the National tournament, which begins May 12^th, the Pioneers have drawn Monroe CC. AACC defeated Monroe in overtime earlier in the season 13-12. Monroe CC is also the host site of the tournament.