Waterbury, Conn. (5/7/23) The Dominican University New York women's lacrosse team captured their first CACC Tournament Championship this afternoon with a double overtime victory over the Rams of Thomas Jefferson University 12-11.

Freshman Madelyn Grella (Monmouth Beach, N.J.) scored the game winning goal in the second OT period to secure the title.

Grella along with teammates Erin Carr (Wall, N.J.), Caitlin Costello (Seaford, N.Y.), Grace DeStasio (West Hempstead, N.Y.), and Kristinamarie Kaszovitz (Hicksville, N.Y.) were selected to the 2023 CACC Women's Lacrosse All-Tournament team. 

DeStasio was also named Most Valuable Player in the tournament. 

Grella finished the game with a team-leading five goals on eight shots. DeStasio added three goals and added two ground balls and one draw control.

Erica Ortiz (Slate Hill, N.Y.) scored two goals and recorded a team-high five draw controls. Jordana Tomasetti (Middletown, N.J.) scored one goal and picked up two ground balls. 

Sydney Strohmayer (Rocky Point, N.Y.) scored the tying goal with 6:07 left to play in the fourth quarter and finished with two ground balls. Jenna Rigo (East Islip, N.Y.) picked up a team-high five ground balls and assisted the game winning goal.

Carr finished with three ground balls and recorded four draw controls. Kaszovitz recorded the win in goal and made 11 saves to finish the season with a 17-2 record.

Dominican got off to a strong start with a 5-1 lead after the first quarter. The Rams fought their way back in the second quarter by scoring three goals and Jefferson goalkeeper Melanie Goldstein made six saves in the quarter. 

The Rams used a strong third quarter to jump out in front over Dominican by scoring six of the first seven goals of the second half. 

Dominican ended the run with two late goals in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 10-8. Grella and DeStasio scored the first two goals of the quarter to tie the game at 10-10.

Iris Gluck scored her second goal of the game for the Rams with 8:44 remaining for the one goal advantage. 

Dominican answered just over two minutes later when Strohmayer scored the tying goal with 6:07 left to play in regulation. The score would remain and the game would enter overtime.

The Lady Chargers had four shots on goal in the first OT period and Goldstein stopped all four shots. 

In the second OT period, Carr won the draw control to open the period and Rigo made a pass to Grella who nailed the game winning goal. 

Goldstein finished with 16 saves in the game for the Rams. Ellie Lefton finished with five points on two goals scored and three assists. 

The Lady Chargers complete the season 17-2 overall and secure their first CACC Tournament Championship in program history.

Quote from Head Coach Rob Grella: "Being able to win a CACC Championship is an unforgettable experience. This team has worked relentlessly over the last two years to become a top program. It's a pleasure to coach such a humble and hardworking group of girls and I could not be more proud of them. Having Maddie score the game winning goal in OT was such a proud parent moment. It's been incredible to watch her grow as a player and young woman under the leadership of her captains and upperclassmen. The best is yet to come for this group!!"

2023 CACC Women's Lacrosse All-Tournament Team

Kasha Elzinga (Georgian Court)

Makenzie Stritzinger (Wilmington)

Erin Avanzato (Jefferson

Melanie Goldstein (Jefferson)

Ellie Lefton (Jefferson)

Carina Raymond (Jefferson)

Audrey Strock (Jefferson)

Erin Carr (Dominican)

Caitlin Costello (Dominican)

Grace DeStasio (Dominican)

Madelyn Grella (Dominican)

Kristinamarie Kaszovitz (Dominican)

MVP: Grace DeStasio (Dominican)