And just like that, we have reached the NCAA tournament.
The last five conference tournament championships were determined Sunday afternoon, setting the stage for the Selection Show on ESPNU. (You can read our final bracket thoughts here, by the way.)
Here's a recap of conference championships awarded Sunday:
🎟️👊 CHAMPIONSHIP CLINCHERS
Teams that punched their ticket Saturday:
(1) Fairfield def. (5) Siena 14-3 (MAAC)
(3) Princeton def. (1) Yale 12-8 (Ivy)
(4) Davidson def. (2) VCU 10-5 (A10)
(1) Mercer def. (2) High Point 14-11 (Big South)
(2) UAlbany def. (1) Vermont 13-11 (America East)
🌟 TOP PERFORMANCES
Tessa Caputo and Sara MacLeod, Fairfield — When your stat lines are mirror images, you get to share the spotlight. Caputo had six assists and MacLeod had six goals, leading Fairfield to an easy win over Siena in the MAAC title game.
Maggie Molnar, Princeton — Molnar entered play with 16 goals this season — by no means a low number, but certainly not one that would portend such an impactful performance in the Ivy League title game. She had four goals (a season high) and eight draw controls (also a season high) to lead the Tigers.
Kayla Joyce, Davidson — Yes, Davidson ended on an eight-goal run to capture the first A-10 championship in a women's sports in school history. And while the offense is clearly crucial to such a run, it was Joyce who stood out in the second half. She made five of her eight saves while her offense chipped away at the VCU lead.
Abby Vane and Caroline Glus, Mercer — The tandem each posted five points — Vane with two goals and three assists, Glue with four goals and one assist — to keep the Big South crown with Mercer for the fifth consecutive season.
Paisley Cook, UAlbany — Cook did literally everything for the Great Danes to lock up America East tournament MVP honors. She had four goals, three assists and 11 draw controls in the championship game.
😮 BIGGEST UPSET
Princeton over Yale
By no means was this a big upset on paper. Yale had been on a bit of a slide in the second half of the season, and Princeton possesses just as much talent as any other team in the Ivy League. This game was very big, however, for NCAA tournament hopes. Princeton was likely a safe bet to make the tournament as an at-large team, but now the Tigers can sleep soundly Sunday knowing they are in the field. Yale now has to sweat out the Selection Show.
📈 NUMBERS OF THE DAY
2 • More No. 1 seeds that lost in their conference finals, bringing the total to six this weekend.
1 • Atlantic 10 championship in a women's sport in Davidson school history.
9 p.m. • Time you need to check into ESPNU Sunday night for the aforementioned Selection Show.
