FERRUM, Va. - Shenandoah University pulled off an upset of major proportions Friday afternoon in a 11-9 women's lacrosse victory over top seeded Christopher Newport at the USA South Tournament.

Shenandoah (7-5) advances to its first USA South Tournament final with the win over Christopher Newport (6-10). The victory is also the Hornets first ever in four tries against the Lady Captains.

SU will face Greensboro in the Saturday final. The third seeded Pride defeated No. 2 Methodist 12-10 in the second semi-final Friday afternoon.

As with Shenandoah's quarterfinal round win over Ferrum on Tuesday, freshmen led the day Friday. Erika Bradd (Front Royal, Va./Warren County) scored a co-game high four goals, while Kelly Matagiese (Cape May, N.J./Lower Cape May) added three. Both women were named to the USA South Conference second team on Wednesday.

The game was extremely close throughout, with seven ties and four lead changes and neither team leading by more than two goals during the contest. Perhaps the biggest goal of the game came with one second to play in the first when Bradd had an unassisted tally to bring SU within one at 5-4.

Bradd scored 13 seconds into the second half to tie it at five and the two teams remained within one goal of each other until Matagiese gave Coach Lois Bowers club an 11-9 lead with 2:26 to play.

Freshman goalkeeper Wendy Taylor (Cape May, N.J./Lower Cape May) made eight saves in the winning effort. She faced 31 shots from the Lady Captains.

A complete box score for this game can be found at http://www.su.edu/athletics/wlax/2004/041604.htm