WHEELING, W.Va. – After falling to the West Virginia Wesleyan Bobcats in last year's Mountain East Conference semifinals, the Wheeling Jesuit Cardinals women's lacrosse team earned its revenge with Friday night's 17-6 win over the Bobcats. With the win, WJU advances to Sunday's championship game against Shepherd University at 1 p.m.

Before the match began, three All-MEC players were honored from WJU. Elizabeth Hales, Holly Deckert, and Jessie Tufnell each finished on the first team, while Tim Florence was voted the leagues Coach of the Year.

WJU (12-5) struck for the first two goals of the evening. Olivia Krock and Mary Burns gave the Cardinals a 2-0 advantage. Wesleyan managed to tie the contest at two, but from that point on, WJU would outscore the Bobcats 15-2 on its way to a 17-6 victory.

Jessie Tufnell scored a trio of first half goals and assisted on four first half scores, totaling seven points in the first 30 minutes. Elizabeth Hales, Paige Plesich, and Mary Burns each scored twice in the first half, as the Cardinals took a 12-4 upper hand into the second half of play. WJU scored eight of the final nine first half goals.

Tufnell and Plesich added goals to begin the second half, and the Cardinals led, 14-4. Plesich, Hales, and Tufnell would score once more each, as WJU defeated Wesleyan, 17-6.

Tufnell guided WJU with 10 points, five goals and five assists. Kori Hickman added six points, as he assisted on five scores. Plesich and Hales supplied WJU with five points and three ground balls each, while Burns added her two goals.

Krock scored once, won three draw controls, and collected a team best five ground balls. Holly Deckert secured four ground balls and caused a turnover. Taylor Quigg won two draw controls. Maire Austin finished the night with eight saves.