The Oakland University women’s lacrosse team took part in the Div. II Women’s Collegiate Lacrosse League National Championships held in Scottsdale, Ariz. May 5-7.

In the first game, Oakland played undefeated and second-ranked Chapman University from California.

The Grizzlies jumped out to a quick 2-1 lead, but some costly turnovers enabled the Panthers to run off four goals and OU was down 5-2 at halftime.

Oakland cut the deficit to 7-5, but that was as close as they came. Chapman went on to win the game 12-6, and two days later won the National Championship.

After the game, head coach Towbey Kassa thought the team had played well against the eventual champions, but a hot goaltender and a few errors cost the team.

“Honestly, we beat ourselves,” Kassa said. “Once we turned over the ball, they would get it and score. We had a combined total of 32 shots on goal and only scored six times. We should have won.”

The second game would not be much easier, as the Grizzlies played a familiar foe in Southern Methodist University.

The Mustangs eliminated OU from nationals last year by one goal, and also beat the Grizzlies earlier this year.

The Mustangs started off quickly, and with about 15 minutes left in the game held a 12-6 lead. After a timeout by Kassa, OU started a massive comeback cutting the score to 13-12 with a minute to play.

On OU’s final possession, Vikki Wallace had a chance to tie the game, but hit the post and the Mustangs ran out the clock for their third straight one-goal victory over the Grizzlies.

“The girls were worn down a little bit from the game before,” Kassa said. “We knew what to do, we just couldn’t put the ball into the net.”

In their last game against Wisconsin River-Falls, the Grizzlies finally got the performance they were looking for, winning 11-9, improving on last year’s eighth place finish.

Kassa was pleased with the effort that his team gave during the entire tournament, and thought it would serve them well for next season.

“Last year, when we went to national championships, we just played selfishly,” Kassa said. “This year, no matter how done we were, the girls really stepped it up.”

Kassa had other reasons to be delighted, as senior captain Ashley Krisfalusi was voted as Div. II Player of the Year. Wallace and Krisfalusi were also named to the First-Team All-Americans list as well, which he believes is one of the greatest feats he has ever had in his coaching career.

“This by far, having two All-Americans for the university and what it means, it is the most amazing accomplishment I have had in my life,” Kassa said. “It’s the most rewarding thing a coach could have.”

After five consecutive divisional titles and two conference championships, Kassa expects another great season next year with a plethora of new recruits and the experience the team has had in the last few seasons.

“I’m expecting another divisional title, and another conference win,” Kassa said. “With the amount of talent coming in, we’re going to be six, seven, eight-dimensional and that’s what I love.”