WHEELING, W.Va. – The Wheeling Jesuit women's lacrosse team fell to Shepherd University, 17-10, in Sunday's Mountain East Conference championship game. The Rams outscored the Cardinals 11-5 in the second half to claim the title.

Paige Plesich, Mary Burns, and Jessie Tufnell were named to the MEC All-Tournament team.

Plesich put the Cardinals (12-6) ahead 1-0 off a goal assisted by Kori Hickman with 27:21 remaining in the first half. Tufnell regained the Cardinal lead, 2-1, but the Rams (9-9) would score the next two goals.

Elizabeth Hales and Plesich regained the Cardinals advantage, 4-3, with 13:06 remaining in the first half. The Rams would score three of the final four goals in the first half to take a 6-5 advantage into the half.

Plesich and Tufnell scored the first two goals of the second half, and WJU was in control, 7-6. Shepherd answered with a pair of goals to take an 8-7 lead. Burns would tie the contest at eight apiece before the Rams rattled off three straight goals.

Olivia Krock scored on a free-position attempt, bringing the Cardinals to within two scores, 11-9. She scored her second goal of the day seven minutes later, as WJU trailed 13-10 with 7:22 to play. Shepherd would score the final four goals of the afternoon to claim the victory, 17-10.

Plesich guided WJU with three goals and two assists. Tufnell and Burns each added three points off a pair of goals and an assist. Burns also won four draw controls.

Krock scored twice and forced three Rams turnovers while Hickman assisted on two goals and picked up a team high five ground balls. Hales scored one goal and grabbed three ground balls.

Holly Deckert caused two turnovers and secured three ground balls, while Markie Wright also scooped up three ground balls. Lyndsay Carpenter finished with two ground balls and one draw control.  Maire Austin faced 24 shots on goal and tallied seven saves.