Ayla Shea shares excitement for America East women’s lacrosse tournament
Fairfax, VT native Ayla Shea has been one of the country’s top women’s lacrosse goalies. Hear from the star junior.
The Vermont men’s and women’s lacrosse teams are battling for berths this week to the NCAA Tournament.
The top-seeded UVM women’s team (9-6) captured its first America East regular-season crown and program history and are hosting the conference playoffs at Virtue Field. The Catamount men (6-6) earned the No. 3 seed and will play No. 2 Bryant at tourney host Albany.
Both Vermont lacrosse programs last appeared in the NCAA Tournament in 2022.
For schedule and results from both America East tournaments, see below.
Vermont women’s lacrosse at the America East tournament
Semifinals at Virtue Field
Friday, May 1
No. 1 Vermont 10, No. 4 UMBC 7
V: Lydia Doraz 3G, 1A, 8DC. Maddie Erskine 2G. Caitlin Haggerty 2G, 1A. Lindsey Lefebvre 1G. Jane Trauger 1G. Karina Sethi 1G. Lauren Lefebvre 2A. Ayla Shea 6 saves.
U: Reese Macintosh 3G. Emily Knapp 2G. Tess Curtis 1G, 1A. Sam Hewitt 1G. Lizzie Bateman 2A. Olivia Worden 1A. Emine Luznar 9 saves.
No. 2 Albany 12, No. 3 Bryant 11
Note: Bryant stormed back from 8-5 deficit into the fourth quarter tying the game at 11-11 with 1:55 remaining. Albany’s Mya Carroll scored the game winner with 1:03 left in the game sending the Great Danes to their 15th straight America East championship game appearance.
Championship at Virtue Field
Sunday, May 3
No. 1 Vermont vs. No. 2 Albany, noon (ESPN+)
Vermont men’s lacrosse at the America East tournament
Semifinals at Albany
Thursday, April 30
No. 3 Vermont 13, No. 2 Bryant 7
V: Max Frattaroli 4G. Zak Toll 2G, 4A. Cullen Decker 2G. Ethan Pearson 2G. Matthew Dimmie 1G. Sean McCeney 1G. Luke Reiter 1G. Tristan Whitaker 1A. Walter Zhao 10GB, 11 face-off wins. Ryan Daly 12 saves.
B: Owen West 3G. Caden Lennon 2G. Luca Elmaleh 1G, 3A. Patrick Walsh 1G. Zac Amend 1A. Dawson Rielly 1A. Jackson Estes 1A. James Carr 10 saves.
Note: Vermont men’s lacrosse advances to the America East championship game for the second time in three years, the last time being in 2024. The Catamounts took a 6-2 lead at the end of the first quarter.
No. 1 Albany 14, No. 4 UMBC 3
Championship at Albany
Saturday, May 2
No. 1 Albany 14, No. 3 Vermont 11
Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.
Contact Judith Altneu at JAltneu@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @Judith_Altneu.
