Limestone Plays On: Saints One of Eight Teams to Advance in NCAA WD2 Tourney

Many of its players don’t know what the future holds, but they know what they’re doing for the next 48 hours. 

On Thursday, Limestone women’s lacrosse team knocked off Wingate 14-7 to advance to the second round of the 2025 NCAA Division II Women's Lacrosse Championship where it will play at West Chester, the top seed in the Atlantic Region.

Facing financial struggles, Limestone announced on April 29 that it was officially ceasing operations and the school held its final graduation ceremony on May 3. The school’s women’s lacrosse team plays on. 

Wingate scored the first two goals of the game, but Limestone answered with two goals in the final minute of the opening quarter to take a 3-2 lead. The Saints then dominated the second quarter, outscoring the Bulldogs 5-0 to take command of the game. 

It was the third meeting of the season between the two schools – Wingate won the regular season matchup before Limestone captured the South Atlantic Conference tournament championship game. 

Limestone goalie Emma McCoy made 11 saves and the Saints got hat tricks from Reese Hjertaas, Keira Martin and Sophie Shortino. 

This season marks Limestone’s 12th appearance in the NCAA Division II women’s lacrosse tournament since 2004. The school was the national runner-up in both 2011 and 2013.

Highlights from Thursday’s other games: 

• East Stroudsburg freshman Sadie Kauffman scored seven goals in an 18-8 win over Frostburg State to set a new school record with 101 goals this season. She broke the record of 98 set by former ESU standout Emily Mitarotonda just last season. 
• Lynn snapped a three-game losing streak with a 16-15 victory over Flagler. Angelia Huggins gave Lynn the lead for good with 4:21 left in the fourth quarter and Hannah Exley had two key fourth quarter goals. Exley, Rebecca Clark and Krystin Johnson all had four goals for Lynn. 
• Dominican made it 18 straight wins with a 19-7 victory over Molloy. Dominican scored 10 times in the opening quarter and got four goals and four assists each from Grace DeStasio and Madelyn Grella. 
• Kenly Zeruto had 10 points on a goal and nine assists, one away from the school record for assists in a game, in Embry-Riddle’s 20-14 win over Mount Olive. 
• In a battle of outstanding goaltending, Grand Valley State edged Rockhurst 9-4. Grand Valley goalies Kaylyn Cater and Sarah Krause combined to make 11 saves while allowing just four goals while Rockhurst goalie Mae Beins made 13 saves in a losing effort. 
• Katie Schenk scored five goals and Summer Castiglione had four goals and two assists as New Haven outscored St. Anselm 20-12. 
• Shea Murphy had five goals and two assists and Brigit Goetsch made 15 saves as Regis defeated Ashland 17-12. 

Today’s Scores 

Atlantic Region 
(3) East Stroudsburg def (6) Frostburg State 18-8 
(5) Limestone def (4) Wingate 14-7 

East Region 
(3) Domincan (NY) def (6) Molloy 19-7 
(4) New Haven def (5) St. Anselm 20-12 

Midwest Region 
(3) Regis (CO) def (6) Ashland 17-12 
(4) Grand Valley State def (5) Rockhurst 9-4 

South Region 
(4) Lynn def (5) Flagler 16-15 
(3) Embry-Riddle def (6) Mount Olive 20-14 

Saturday’s Games 

Atlantic Region 
(5) Limestone at (1) West Chester 
(3) East Stroudsburg at (2) Slippery Rock 

East Region 
(4) New Haven at (1) Adelphi 
(3) Dominican at (2) Pace 

Midwest Region 
(4) Grand Valley State at (1) Maryville 
(3) Regis (CO) at (2) UIndy 

South Region 
(4) Lynn at (1) Tampa 
(3) Embry-Riddle at (2) Florida Southern