SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Detroit Mercy defeated Central Michigan on Saturday to claim the No. 1 overall seed in the upcoming SoCon Women’s Lacrosse Championship in Macon, Georgia. With the victory, the Titans and Chippewas were crowned co-champions of the inaugural SoCon women’s lacrosse season.
Central Michigan, which was 4-1 in league play, claims the No. 2 seed while Furman is No. 3 and Mercer is No. 4 due to the head-to-head tie-breaker.
Detroit Mercy finished the season 10-7 overall, falling only to Mercer in league play. The Bears and Titans faced off in Macon on March 31, with Mercer edging out Detroit Mercy 17-16 in double overtime. The two sides will open the 2018 SoCon Women’s Lacrosse Championship on Thursday at 5 p.m. Despite falling to Mercer, Detroit Mercy won six of its last seven games of the regular season, clinching the No. 1 seed with a dominant 17-9 home victory over Central Michigan on Saturday.
Central Michigan, which edged out Furman 13-10 on April 13, will face the Paladins in the second game of the 2018 semifinals on Thursday. The Chippewas finished the 2018 regular season 11-6 overall. Central Michigan will enter the 2018 SoCon Women’s Lacrosse Championship having won six of its last seven games, seeking a season-sweep over Furman in the semifinals on Thursday.
Mercer finished the season 7-10 overall with a 3-2 record in conference. The Bears capped off their season on Friday, dominating Delaware State 23-2. Mercer fell in a close contest at Central Michigan on March 29, as the Chippewas downed the Bears 15-13. After losing three consecutive games, Mercer edged out Stetson 12-11 before capping off the 2018 season with a SoCon victory over the Hornets on Friday.
Furman finished the season 7-10 overall but 3-2 in conference. The Paladins enter the inaugural women’s lacrosse championship on a three-game winning streak. After dropping a pair of contests to both Central Michigan and Detroit Mercy at home, Furman routed Howard 18-6 and downed Delaware State 19-2 last weekend before ending the season with a 20-2 victory over Wofford on Saturday.
The championship match will take place Saturday, May 5 at 12 p.m. and all games will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
The tournament winner earns the league’s automatic bid to the 2018 NCAA Women’s Lacrosse Championship.
2018 SoCon Women’s Lacrosse Championship
Semifinals, Thursday, May 3
Macon, Ga.
Game 1: No. 1 Detroit Mercy vs. No. 4 Mercer, 5 p.m. (ESPN+)
Game 2: No. 2 Central Michigan vs. No. 3 Furman, 45 minutes after the conclusion og Game 1 (ESPN+)
Championship, Saturday, May 5
Macon, Ga.
Game 3: Match 3 winner vs. Match 4 winner, 12 p.m. (ESPN+)
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