INDIANAPOLIS, IND. – A historic run for the GVSU women's lacrosse team came to an end today in the NCAA Tournament Final Four. Advancing out of the regionals for the first time in program history, the Lakers played in their first Final Four game today against West Chester. The Lakers put up a valiant effort, but ultimately fell 18-10. The loss ends puts GVSU at 16-5 to close out the season and caps off one of the best seasons in the history of the program.
 
After the Rams got on the board to open play, Hailey Crittenden tied things up at one off an assist from Molly Bursinger. WCU answered back with one of their own, but the Lakers responded with two straight, as Bursinger once again found Crittenden for a goal, then she scored one herself to put GVSU in the lead. West Chester ended the quarter with two straight goals to lead 4-3 after the first quarter.
 
They continued that scoring run to extend their lead up to 6-3, but the Lakers fought back, cutting it to 6-5, as Crittenden and Bursinger each scored once more. After a Rams goal, Zoe Ziegler cut the deficit down to one, scoring her first of the day. WCU scored the final three goals of the period to lead 10-6 at the half.
 
Ashleigh Rothe began the scoring in the second half, bringing it to 10-7, but the Rams went on a run from there, scoring the final four goals of the quarter, to push their advantage up to 14-7.
 
Bursinger capped off a hat trick early in the fourth quarter. West Chester scored four times in the quarter, sandwiched around goals from Ella Boose and Maddy Champagne, as they were assisted by Bursinger and Rothe.
 
Hailey Crittenden scored three times, while Molly Bursinger had six points on three goals and three assists. The six points put her at 91 for the season, tying the single-season program high set by Erika Neumen in 2015 and Sophie Conroy last season. Zoe Ziegler, Maddy Champagne, Ashleigh Rothe, and Ella Boose all netted one goal. Rothe also added an assist, while her and Bursinger each grabbed seven draw controls. Sarah Krause made six saves in the cage and Aislynn Alkire caused two turnovers.