SAINT CHARLES, Mo. – The top-ranked and fourth-seeded Queens University of Charlotte Royals fell to third-ranked and top-seeded East Stroudsburg University this evening in the NCAA DII Women's Lacrosse National Semifinals by a score of 13-12 in overtime, bringing their historic 2022 season to a close. The Royals end the year at 21-1 to set a program record for wins in a single season.
 
Queens was led by seniors Sydney Bracken and Kaitlyn Hardin who each recorded hat tricks in the game. Hardin also recorded her 100^th point of the season in the game. Shannon Kingston added a pair of goals while Shannon Donovan, Kyleigh Masteran, Rebecca Kinsley, and Caroline Krauch each added one goal.
 
Turnovers plagued both teams in today's game with the Royals totaling 26 to ESU's 23. Additionally, Queens was edged in shots 30-28 as the Warriors put 25 shots on goal to the Royals' 20.
 
The Royals were able to win the battle at the draw as they have done in nearly every game this season totaling 16 draw controls with Grace Guglielmo's five leading the way. The senior defender also led all players on the field with three caused turnovers. ESU won that battle for ground balls, 26-17.
 
Though the Warriors would open with a 3-1 run, today's game was tightly contested from start to finish. Hardin would score two goals in the latter half of the quarter to bring the Royals within one, 4-3, at the close of the first, and back-to-back goals from Kingston and Kinsley in the second gave Queens its first lead of the day, 5-4, with 6:18 to play in the half.
 
ESU answered with a pair to regain control of the lead, 6-5, with 3:42 on the clock, but the Royals weren't finished as Hardin put one in the back of the net at 2:58 to secure her first-half hat trick, while Kingston scored at the buzzer to give the Royals a 7-6 lead at the break.
 
Queens opened the third quarter with goals from Bracken and Masteran early that put them ahead 9-6, but a pair followed for the Warriors once again to make it a one-goal game, 9-8. A free-position shot from Donovan with 3:33 on the clock would give the Royals a 10-8 lead heading into the final period.
 
The Warriors would score three unanswered at the start of the final quarter to take back control of the game, 11-10, with 11:35 to play. However, the Royals answered as Bracken scored an unassisted goal to tie the game up for the fifth time and Krauch snuck one in the back of the cage on an assist from Kinsley to put the Royals ahead, 12-11.
 
With 2:27 left on the clock in regulation, Maddie Heck of the Warriors would score to tie the game at 12-12 and force overtime. After the Royals' Donovan collected the draw control, Queens had first possession and a chance to win. However, a shot from Hardin was saved by ESU's goalkeeper and the Warriors took off up the field where Sophia Graffeo scored the game-winner on an assist from Kiki Fitzpatrick.
 
The Warriors were led by Emily Mitarotonda who had four goals while Gianna LeDuc scored three goals. Grafeo and Lauren Neufeld each added two goals.
 
In goal, MeKenzie Gaghan of ESU collected eight saves for the win. For the Royals, Caroline Kraemer totaled three saves in 26:18 and Sharn Muffett recorded nine saves in 36:42.
 
Today marked Queens' third semifinal appearance in three seasons. The Royals close the year having set a new DII record in goals with 463 on the season. Queens also set program single-season records in goals, assists (238), points (701), and draw controls (437). Additionally, Bracken will leave her mark in the record books as Queens' all-time leader in draw controls with 278. Masteran is the all-time (194) and single-season (91) leader in goals while Kinsley is the single-season leader in points (133) and assists (62).
 
Head Coach Clare Short secured her 100^th career win this season and is Queens' winningest coach in women's lacrosse program history with a record of 87-18 with the Royals.
 
Queens announced that its transition to Division I would begin July 1 as the Royals are set to compete in the ASUN Conference beginning this fall.
 
Be sure to follow the women's lacrosse team on Twitter @QueensWlax and Instagram @Queensroyalslax to stay up to date with everything surrounding the team. Fans are also encouraged to follow Queens Athletics on all social media platforms by searching @QueensAthletics.