HICKORY, N.C. –  The fifth-ranked Queens University of Charlotte Royals won their seventh consecutive South Atlantic Conference Championship defeating Limestone 18-14 this afternoon. The win improves the Royals' overall record to 12-1.
 
Queens was led by Kara Blanchard who blazed a trail to victory, putting up an impressive eight points on four goals and four assists. Ally Blood and Rachel Perrett each contributed seven points of their own as the Limestone defense had no answer for the pair. Additionally, Shannon Donovan and Sydney Bracken both lent helping hands with three points on a pair of goals and an assist while solo goals from Kyleigh Masteran, Caroline Pearce, and Maura O'Donoghue rounded out the Royals scoring.
 
Queens did not waste time this afternoon striking first only 12 seconds into the game. However, a pair of Limestone goals followed to give the Saints a 2-1 lead. Nearly 10 minutes would pass before a pair of Perrett goals forty seconds apart put Queens back on top, 3-2. The Royals then used the last fifteen minutes of the half to kick it into high gear and finish on a 7-1 run. Queens looked calm and collected as they entered halftime with a 10-5 advantage.
 
The opening 10 minutes of the second half was electric as the two sides combined for six points in the span. The Saints managed four of the six to cut the Royals' lead to 12-9. Queens responded with five minutes of dominant play where the Royals rattled off three goals to take their largest lead of the game 15-9. However, Limestone did not back down, controlling in large part the next 10 minutes of the game as they held Queens scoreless and found four of their own to cut the Royals' lead to only two, 15-13.
 
Queens secured its win outscoring the Saints 3-1 in the final four minutes of the game as Perrett, Bracken, and Donovan scored valuable goals down the stretch.  
 
The Royals edged Limestone in goals, 33-32, putting 26 shots on goal to the Saints' 23. Both teams were able to limit their turnovers as the Royals finished the game with 16 and Limestone gave up the ball on 15 occasions. Queens had minimal trouble once again clearing the ball going 12-of-15 on the day for an 80 percent success rate while the Saints finished the day 14-of-19 clearing their half for a 73 percent success rate. Both teams battled on the ground as Limestone came away with 14 ground balls and Queens ended with 20. Additionally, won 18 draw controls with Sydney Hussey's nine leading the way.
 
In the cage, Sara Mitrecic earned the win for Queens after totaling nine saves. She was later named MVP for the tournament.
 
Blanchard, Donovan, Hussey, Perrett, and Grace Guglielmo also earned spots on the all-tournament team.
 
Queens now awaits the NCAA DII Women's Lacrosse Selection Show scheduled to air on May 9.