ARLINGTON, Va. -- Marymount women's lacrosse made history in front of the Long Bridge Park faithful on Saturday afternoon, winning the Atlantic East Conference Championship in a defining 22-12 win over Neumann University. 

This is the first conference championship in program history, coming after an undefeated conference season, another first for the program.

NOTABLE

• Carmella Garcia took home Tournament MVP, highlighted after a standout Championship outing. 
• Olivia Durso took home the prestigious Elite 20 award, given to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative GPA on the championship site.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Ella Baker opened the Championship affair with a goal in the first minute, starting the narrative for the game.
• Taylor Chepren gave the pass to Arayla Garcia to put the Saints up by two in the early going.
• After a Neumann goal, Marymount went on a four-goal run, highlighted by a pair out of the stick of Bailey Gehler, to give the Saints a 6-1 lead.
• A back-and-forth began, as the Knights started to find the back of the net, but two straight from Tess Valentino and Baker to end the half gave the Saints a 13-7 lead heading into halftime.
• Three straight from Valentino, Kaylee Heath, and Jillian Blair kept momentum moving on the offensive end, now up by nine goals.
• Natalia Ortiz sank one to end the third to keep Marymount up by nine.
• After a pair of goals from the Knights, Riley Love answered with two straight.
• Valentino netted the final two goals of the afternoon, sending the Saints into celebration and securing the historic title.
• Garcia ended the day with 13 total draw controls to keep significant possession.
• Gehler had six points with three goals and three assists, adding a ground ball and three draw controls.
• Valentino had six points on six goals.
• Love had six total points on three goals and three assists.
• Baker had five points with four goals and an assist.
• Ortiz had two goals and two assists for four points, adding two ground balls.
• Abby Dunn had five caused turnovers with a trio of ground balls, adding two draw controls.
• Chepren notched a goal and three assists for four points.
• Heath, Jillian Blair, and Arayla Garcia each added goals.
• Hannah Smith earned the win in the goal, notching 23 total saves in her final time in the home net.

UP NEXT

• The Saints will await their destination for the NCAA Regionals.
• Selection show is slated for Monday.