2022 OAC Championship Preview: Women's Lacrosse Hopes to Vanquish Unbeaten Cap

A #1 vs. #2 Showdown will determine the Ohio Athletic Conference Women’s Lacrosse Champion.

BEXLEY, Ohio -- After beginning the season 2-4, John Carroll Women's Lacrosse has won nine of their last ten contests, including their last seven. The one loss? To the Capital Comets.

That sets up the 2022 Ohio Athletic Conference Women's Lacrosse Championship: A rematch between the #2 John Carroll Blue Streaks (10-5) and the #1 Capital Comets at Bernlohr Stadium in Bexley, Ohio on Saturday, May 7 at 7 p.m.

John Carroll finished the regular season with a 9-5 record and a 7-1 record in OAC play. To reach the conference championship game, the Blue Streaks had to defeat a tough Mount Union adversary two times in one week.

On April 27, the Blue Streaks defeated Mount Union in Alliance 14-11 to clinch the #2 seed in the conference tournament. Then, on May 4, in a rematch of the 2021 OAC title game, JCU held off the Purple Raiders at home in an offensive onslaught 22-14.

On a seven-game winning streak, the Blue & Gold have outscored their opponents 224-155, winning games by an average score of 15-10.

Statistically, the Blue Streaks rank in the top 50 in the nation in draw controls per game (24th, 16.73), shots per game (36th, 33.6), and shots on goal per game (38th, 25.73). Also, Mary Doherty has played a significant role in obtaining draw controls (24th, 7.08 per game).

John Carroll has played well as a team all season as they have seven players with at least 20 points this season. Alex Heishman (40 goals, 20 assists), Shannon Burdick (35 goals, 14 assists), Jenna Ginsberg (21 goals, 24 assists), Carly Ross (25 goals, 14 assists), Olivia Gerlach (34 goals, four assists), Doherty (16 goals, four assists), and Olivia Hanulak (10 goals, 10 assists) have all been steady contributors on offense.

Doherty (92), Gerlach (64), and Lainey Donalson (40) all lead in terms of gaining possession via draw controls. Megan Weiner leads the defense with 22 caused turnovers & 24 ground balls so far this season.

As for Capital, they are in the midst of their most historic season as a program. The Comets finished their regular season a perfect 17-0, including an 8-0 record in OAC play.

On May 4, the Comets hosted Otterbein, and despite a close 8-6 score at halftime, Capital cruised to a 20-10 victory.

The Comets rank near the top of the nation in a bevy of categories including shots on goal per game (2nd), scoring offense (2nd), points per game (3rd), draw controls per game (4th), scoring margin (5th), and assists per game (8th).

Grace Osborn is the #1 goal scorer in the country with 110 goals and ranks #4 with 138 points. Brooke Delara is #2 in the nation in assists (80) and points (145). Luci Kanowsky (104 total points) rounds out the Big Three on offense for the Comets.

For the Blue Streaks, they have a chance to repeat as conference champions & earn their second NCAA bid in as many years. The Blue & Gold are 1-0 all-time in conference title games.

As for Capital, their first national tournament bid in school history is on the line. The Comets are 0-3 in conference title games, with all three losses coming to Mount Union in 2016, 2018, & 2019.

The winner of this game will be deemed the OAC Tournament Champions and earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Print Friendly Version