Rochester, N.Y. – Arguably the best season in the history of the Bentley women's lacrosse program came to a close on Sunday, as the Falcons fell to Roberts Wesleyan 10-7 in the East Region finals of the 2021 NCAA Division II Women's Lacrosse Championship.

The Falcons were NE10 Champions for the first time this season and earned their first NCAA Tournament bid. The season comes to a close with a 12-3 record. Roberts Wesleyan, the top seed in the East Region, improved to 14-1 and advances to the national semifinals next weekend.

Senior Julia Glavin (Ipswich, Mass./Ipswich) led the Falcons' attack with three goals, all in the second half. Freshman Caroline Affolter (Newburyport, Mass./Central Catholic) scored twice in the first half. Senior Sandrine Heller (Weggis, Switzerland) and freshman Courtney Dermody (Bedford, N.H./Bedford) each scored as well for the Falcons.

Graduate student goalie Eliza Bresler (Newton, Mass./Newton North) made 11 saves.

The first half was dominated by the defense for both teams, with RWU holding a slim 4-3 lead at halftime.

With Bentley trailing 3-1, Affolter scored her second goal of the half at the 9:40 mark. After more than seven minutes of the teams trading possessions, Bentley tied the score 3-3 when Heller scored at the 2:11 mark, off an assist from junior Kayli Keenan (Pelham, N.H./Bishop Guertin).

But RWU's Kelsey Simmons scored on a free-position with 27 seconds left in the half to give the Redhawks a 4-3 lead at the break.

Both goalies had strong performances in the first half. Bresler had seven saves and RWU's Natalie Arieno had four saves.

RWU started the second half quickly with two goals in the opening four-plus minutes to open up a 6-3 lead. The run extended to 4-0 over the first 12-plus minutes of the half to expand the lead to 8-3.

Bentley though fought back. Dermody found the back of the net at the 14:51 mark, off an assist from Heller, and Glavin scored on a free-position attempt at 9:25. That cut the deficit to 8-5.

The teams then traded goals. Attacker Taylor Nathan scored for RWU and Glavin scored for Bentley off a free-position. That made it a 9-6 game with 5:29 remaining.

RWU's Jessica Giancursio won the ensuing draw control, and it led to her scoring at the 4:22 mark to give the Redhawks a 10-6 edge with time running down.

Bentley scored once more, on a free-position attempt from Glavin with 50 seconds left, but RWU would go on to win it 10-7.

Senior Dana Lewandowski (Franklin, Mass./Franklin) had a game high three caused turnovers for Bentley. Senior Kate Schmal (Saint James, N.Y./Smithtown) led the team with five ground balls.