Rochester, NY - The Women's Lacrosse team traveled to Monroe Community College this weekend for the 2023 Women's Lacrosse National Championship Tournament. The Lazers defeated the No. 3 Monroe Tribunes, 19-11, on Saturday to advance to the National Championship where they fell to the No. 1 Anne Arundel Riverhawks on Sunday, 11-14.

Semi-Finals:
Saturday's semifinal contest kicked off at 3pm against the Tribunes, who Onondaga had defeated, 18-11, just six days prior to win the Region III Championship game on Wilbur Field. This was the two teams fourth matchup of the season.

Onondaga controlled the first draw of the game and scored on their first possession on a goal from Isabella Commesso on the assist from Macey DeOrdio to get on the board first. The Lazer defense came out strong causing a Tribune turnover to lead to Onondaga's second goal from Victoria Storrs from Gianna Zerrillo. Allowing too many shot attempts, Onondaga allowed the Tribunes to respond with the next two goals to tie it up. After a Lazer goal from Zerrillo at 7:51 to take back the lead, the two teams battled it out on defense allowing no goals until 1:22 when Jadie Burns capitalized on a free position shot and DeOrdio and Zerrillo each picked up another quick Lazer goal to end the 1st quarter 6-2.

Hungry for more, DeOrdio came out hot putting up 2 on the Tribunes for her third of the day on a man-up situation. The teams were even throughout the day on draw controls, continuing to take advantage. In a physical 2nd quarter, with a yellow card on each, and several free position shots for Onondaga, the Lazers put up 8 goals in the 2nd quarter to lead 14-5 at the half.

The Lazers continued to keep the margin wide in the third, eager to advance to the championship game. Zerrillo found net twice in the 3rd alongside Kya Aldrich and Alecsis Buda to enter the fourth quarter leading by 11. 

Onondaga's dominant performance paid off as they let up in the 4th, allowing 4 Tribune goals as they tried to scrape back, but it wouldn't be enough. With a 19-11 win, Onondaga earned a spot in the National Championship game against the Riverhawks of Anne Arundel the next day. Giuliana Portolesi had 7 saves on goal in the victory.

National Championship:
With a 12pm start, Onondaga took the field looking to defeat their only losses of the season for a national title, Anne Arundel. 

The Lazers put their words into action responding with 3 goals in the 1st quarter after the Riverhawks were first on the board. Goals were scored by the Lazers' lading scorers, Commesso, DeOrdio, and Zerrillo.

The 2nd quarter was the start of a true back-and-forth battle between the two teams. Onondaga allowed 3 goals after two fouls called and two free position shots for the Riverhawks. Jadie Burns responded  coming up with a ground ball and finding net to tie it up 4-4. Commesso took advantage of a free position shot gaining Onondaga's second lead of the day. With two more Lazer fouls, the Riverhawks converted taking a 6-5 lead entering the half after a save from Portolesi to keep the lead small.

After a scoreless five minute battle to start the 2nd half, DeOrdio broke the silence first to tie it up. Thanks to another save by Portolesi, a clear to Gabriella Smart added another to put the Lazers up 1. A draw control by the Riverhawks would be the start of their hot scoring streak to put them up 11-8 at the end of the 3rd quarter and gaining momentum.

Onondaga felt the pressure entering the 4th quarter, allowing 3 more goals to trail by 6 with 9 minutes remaining, and the last chance to get something going. Kya Aldrich was able to draw a foul and convert on a free position shot to cut the lead to 5. It took a long 5 minutes for the Lazers to find their next scoring opportunity, all the while keeping Anne Arundel scoreless. DeOrdio found her 3rd at 4:39 to cut it to 4. Unable to convert quickly, The Lazers couldn't penetrate the Riverhaw defense until 1:39 remained and Jadie Burns found her 2nd. But with time winding down and a desperation shot, the Lazers' season came to an end as National Champion Runner-Ups, falling 11-14 to the No. 1 Anne Arundel Riverhawks.

Giuliana Portolesi took home the Defensive MVP award of the National Tournament. Portolesi was also awarded a spot on the All-Tournament team alongside Isabella Commesso, Macey DeOrdio, and Gianna Zerrillo.

Onondaga ended the 2023 season with a 10-3 overall record. 

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