Patchogue, NY - The University of Mount Saint Vincent's women's lacrosse team returned to the Skyline Conference Postseason Tournament on Tuesday evening after finishing the 2024 season with a 3-5 record in conference play. The Dolphins were matched up against St. Joseph's University Long Island on the road in a rematch from the regular season that saw the Golden Eagles emerge victorious by the score of 13-8. Unfortunately for UMSV, they suffered a similar fate, as the 16-10 loss eliminated them from championship contention. 

The loss put an end to a season that saw the program take a step forward from a season ago. They wrap up the year with an overall record of 5-10. 

The Golden Eagles would open the scoring chances when they'd score less than a minute into the action. But in the early portions of the game. the Dolphins would continuously answer. The first to do so was junior Macey Forg, who capped off her breakout junior season when she'd get her team on the board at the 12:14 mark to tie the game at one. Now trailing 2-1, it would be junior Alicia Rodriguez who would respond, as the reigning Skyline Conference Player of the Year scored her first of the evening to tie the game once again. 

Unfortunately for the Dolphins. St. Joe's would close out the first in impressive fashion with four unanswered goals to take a 6-2 lead. Forg, however, would do her best to get her team back into the game. After a defensive-filled start to the second quarter, the Oralndo, Florida native would score consecutive goals in a two minute span, making it a 6-4 contest. But the Golden Eagles would once again go on a run, this time finishing the half with 10-4 lead thanks to another four unanswered shot conversions. 

To UMSV's credit, they would continue to fight until the final whistle, something they did all season long. Scores from Rodriguez, senior Alyssa La Torre and freshman Isabella Melecio would chip away at the Golden Eagles lead, but their advantage was too much to overcome. The final tally would end up being 16-10 in favor of the home team. 

Rodriguez capped off her dominant 2024 season in impressive fashion, finishing with four goals, two assists, six ground balls, six caused turnovers and five draw controls, all team highs. Forg would record a hat trick in her final game of the year while Alyssa La Torre capped off her career with a two goal, one ground ball and one caused turnover effort. Sophomore goalkeeper Makenna Reekie made 13 saves in net. 

Despite the disappointing ending, the Dolphins will use this season as a catalyst moving forward as they look to make yet another jump in 2025.