The stage is set for a WIAC Championship showdown as the No. 2 seed UW-River Falls women's lacrosse team hosts No. 1 seed Colorado College this Sunday, May 3 at 12:00 p.m. on Ramer Field. A conference title and an automatic NCAA Tournament berth are the line for the Falcons.

UW-RIVER FALLS (15-3, 7-1 WIAC) VS COLORADO COLLEGE (14-3, 8-0 WIAC)
Date: Sunday, May 3
Time: 12 p.m.
Site: River Falls, Wis. // Ramer Field
Coverage: Watch // Live Stats // Tickets

The Falcons enter the championship at 15-3 overall following a 12-6 semifinal victory over UW-La Crosse, continuing what has been one of the most impressive seasons in program history. UW-River Falls has been consistently fueled by a high-scoring offense that ranks among the best in the conference, averaging over 17 goals per game while outscoring opponents 307-128 on the season. 

Leading the charge all season has Samantha Hayek, who has totaled 68 goals and 108 points on the year with Avery Watzke (47 goals, 61 points) and Elizabeth Clough (53 goals) providing additional active scoring throughout the season. The Falcons' overall depth has been a key factor, with Natasha Berthiaume, Murphi Specht and Macy Patton all contributing significantly to the offensive attack. 

Defensively, UW-River Falls has limited opponents to just over seven goals per game, while forcing 247 caused turnovers and holding a strong edge in ground balls and clears. Annelise Rommeck has anchored the defensive unit in goal, posting 84 saves all while helping guide a defense that has controlled tempo and possession the entire season.

THE SERIES 

Sunday's matchup will be a rematch of an earlier conference meeting this season that proved to be the most competitive contests of the year. On April 19, Colorado College was victorious over the Falcons, walking away with a 13-12 win in overtime after scoring with one second remaining in regulation to force the extra period before securing the game-winner. 

UW-River Falls overcame an early 3-0 deficit and went for seven second-quarter goals to take a halftime lead. Samantha Hayek and Clough led the offensive effort with three goals apiece, while Berthiaume and Specht both added two in a back-and-forth battle against the Tigers.

Historically, Colorado College has had the upper hand in the series, with the Falcons still searching for their first win against the Tigers (0-4 all-time).

With both teams familiar with each other and coming off tightly contested matchups in the WIAC Semifinals, the Falcons will aim to flip the result from their earlier meeting and secure a WIAC Championship in front of their home crowd.