Le Moyne’s return to Division I was a triumphant one – a 9-6 victory over Cal.
Le Moyne, an NCAA Division II power for more than a decade after previously enjoying success at the Division I level, moved back to Division I this year as part of an overall move for the school’s athletic department.
The Dolphins are no stranger to success at any level – they won the 2018 NCAA Division II championship and qualified for the NCAA Division I tournament three times during a 12-year run at the Division I level from 1999 to 2010.
Defense was the key on Thursday, led by four-year starting goalie Paige Crandall. Crandall made five of her 11 saves in the opening quarter to help Le Moyne set the tone.
The Dolphins, won went 17-3 and won the Northeast-10 Conference to reach the NCAA Division II tournament last year, jumped out to a 3-0 lead over Cal and never trailed in the game.
Rhonee Shea Pal scored the first goal of the game and finished with five overall to power the Le Moyne offense. After Cal had cut the lead to 3-2, she scored a critical player-down goal and then scored the final two goals of the first half after Cal had once again pulled to within a single goal.
Bella Sampo added a pair of goals for Le Moyne, Sarah Hutchings had a goal and two assists and Lilly Locastro helped power the defense with five caused turnovers.
Kennedy Mason and Courtney Wong each scored twice for Cal and Kenneddy Goss had a team-high five draw controls to help the Bears to an 11-6 advantage in the circle.
Both teams will next play Cornell. Cal, which downed Akron 19-10 in its season opener last Friday, travel to Ithaca to Cornell on Saturday. Le Moyne hosts the Big Red next Tuesday.
