DANVILLE, Va. - For the second straight year, fourth seeded Shenandoah University has eliminated top-seeded Christopher Newport University from the USA South Conference women's lacrosse tournament.

Shenandoah (10-5) gained entrance to its second straight conference finals with a 15-11 victory over the regular season champion Lady Captains (7-9).

The win also gives Lois Bowers' club the new school record with 10 victories this spring. This breaks the mark of nine set by the 1997 team and tied in both 1998 and 2005.

Tied at 5-5 heading into the second half, the Hornets scored four straight goals in the first 11:19 of the half to take a 9-5 lead with 18:41 to play. Sophomore Kelly Matagiese had three of her game-high five goals during this run, including two straight to start the spurt.

CNU called time-out following the last goal in the run, and got back into it with Sally Allstadt and Kristen Conques goals at the 16:53 and 14:15 marks, respectively.

In contrast to the Lady Captains comeback victory in Winchester on April 9, Shenandoah was able to withstand the Christopher Newport run. SU answered the pair of CNU goals with unassisted tallies by Erika Bradd, Melissa Bryant and Joia Davis to take a 12-7 lead with 6:56 remaining.

The Lady Captains would get no closer than four goals the rest of the way, and SU held a 15-8 lead before CNU scored three times in the final minute of the game.

Matagiese led all scorers with five goals while Davis had three and Jenn Iuliano, Bradd and Bryant had two each.

Elaine Kirby matched Matagiese with five goals and Ashley Tara Call added three and Conques two in the losing effort.

Shenandoah will face No. 3 Methodist, a 10-8 winner over Greensboro, on Sunday at noon for the championship.

Box Score/Play by Play