The College of Wooster women's lacrosse team played for the North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament title for the second straight year and fell to sixth-ranked Denison University 19-10 on Saturday at Kienzle-Hylbert Stadium.

Overall, Saturday marked Wooster's fifth time playing for the NCAC Tournament title over the last eight seasons. Denison won the tournament for a league-leading 19th time and fourth straight time.

Senior Sophia Mellis, the hero in Wednesday's 18-17 NCAC Tournament semifinal win over Kenyon College, tied Saturday's championship game at one just over three minutes into the contest. Senior Lizzie Hardy's early caused turnover and groundball gave Wooster the possession following Denison taking the draw after going up 1-0.

Denison took a 4-1 lead before Mellis pulled the Fighting Scots within two in the final five minutes of the first period, which was as close as Wooster came in the game.

Of note, Mellis' goal in the first minute of the fourth period was Wooster's 321st of the year, breaking last year's school record of 320. She scored a game-high five goals.

Denison led 13-5 at halftime and scored five goals in the third before Mellis fed sophomore Cassidy Driscoll for a goal in the final four minutes of the third.

Wooster's trio of Hardy, sophomore Mizan Jacobs, and senior Sidney O'Rourke kept the Scots excelling in the draw, where the Black and Gold had the edge at 17-14. O'Rourke's six draws led Wooster, while Hardy tracked down five, and Jacobs four.

Driscoll passed out three assists to go with a goal. First-year Kylie MacMillan and O'Rourke had two groundballs each.

Mary Martison's four goals led Denison. MK Barnhardt passed out four assists to go with two goals. Bridget Sheehy was the standout elsewhere, finishing with five draw controls, two groundballs, and two caused turnovers. Julianne Henigan had the game-high in saves at seven.

Denison outshot Wooster 32-28 and had 14 turnovers to the Scots' 16.

Wooster's all-tournament team representatives were senior Anna Mapes, first-year Nicole McCalla, MacMillan, and Mellis.

Wooster is now 16-2 and Denison is now 18-1.

Wooster now must now await its fate with the selection show Monday morning, hoping to earn an at-large bid into the NCAA Div. III Championship field.