WEST CALDWELL, N.J.- The Caldwell University women's lacrosse team fell in their regular season finale 16-5 to Mercy College The Cougars fall to 5-9 overall, while the Mavericks improve to 12-4. The Cougars have locked up their first-ever berth in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Championship as the #5 seed and will travel to #4 seed Holy Family University next Tuesday, May 3 in the Opening Round.
 
The Cougars netted three of the first four goals of the game. Sophomore Emily Fey (Center Moriches, NY) put Caldwell in the lead at the 26:48 mark. Mercy tied the game five minutes later but the Cougars netted back-to-back goals.
 
Sophomore Jessica Minuto (Levittown, NY) put Caldwell back in front, while sophomore Pamela Schenck (East Moriches, NY) added a goals to give the Cougars a 3-1 lead.
 
The Mavericks tied the game with a pair of goals but sophomore Mariah Wynn (Clearwater, FL) scored with 9:25 left in the half to put Caldwell back in front 4-3. Mercy closed the half with five straight goals to lead 8-4 at halftime.
 
Junior Kaitlyn Coghlan (Staten Island, NY) scored to open the second half of an assist from sophomore Daniela Costanzo (East Brunswick, NJ). Mercy pulled away with eight more goals to take the win.
 
In net, freshman Elizabeth Ruedemann (Monmouth Junction, NJ) played the first half and recorded 14 saves. Freshman Nancy Benedetto (Jupiter, FL) totaled three saves in the second half.
 
The #5 seed Cougars will compete in their first-ever CACC Championship as they travel #4 seed Holy Family on Tuesday, May 3.