Women's Lacrosse 5/14/2021 9:18:00 PM Steve Bradley, Athletic Communications Consultant

REDHAWKS HOST BENTLEY IN NCAA EAST REGION FINAL: 13 THINGS TO KNOW

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - The Roberts Wesleyan College women's lacrosse team will play Bentley University in the NCAA Division II East Region Finals at noon Sunday on B.T. Roberts Field.
Here are 13 things to know about the game:

The winner of the game will advance to the NCAA Division II Final Four on May 21 and May 23 in Salem, Va.
Both top-seeded Roberts (13-1) and third-seeded Bentley (12-2) are making their first NCAA Tournament appearances.
Both the Redhawks and Falcons are also seeking their first NCAA Tournament victories. Roberts received a bye into Sunday's game as the top seed in the conference and Bentley advanced when Friday's scheduled semifinal with No. 2 Mercy was declared a "no contest" due to COVID-19 protocols.
This will be the first meeting between Roberts and Bentley, who are both first-time NCAA DII Tournament participants. The Redhawks are ranked 10^th in the most recent US Lacrosse Magazine poll while the Falcons are 12^th.
Both teams won their conference tournaments by one goal. Roberts defeated Mercy 10-9 for the East Coast Conference title and Bentley edged Adelphi 9-8 for the Northeast-10 Conference championship.
The teams have contrasting styles. Roberts ranks 10^th in the country in scoring offense at 17.14 goals per game and 18^th in scoring defense at 8.14 goals against per game. Bentley is 15^th in scoring defense (7.57 goals against average) and 49^th in scoring offense (11.93). Roberts ranks third in the country in assists per game (10.07) while Bentley is tied for 66^th (3.5).
Roberts senior Lindsey Brinkel ranks first in Division II in assists per game (3.71). Brinkel is also among the Top 10 in assists (second with 52), points per game (seventh at 5.93) and total points (fifth with 83).
Bentley goalie Eliza Bresler, a graduate student, ranks first in the nation in save percentage (.605). An All-American in 2019, she is also seventh in goals against average (7.60) and was named the Most Outstanding Player in the Northeast-10 Tournament.
Roberts has five players with more than 25 goals this season, led by senior midfielder Emily Tomei with 46. Madison Bell (44), Brinkel (31), Taylor Nathan (30) and Alexis Grant (28) are the others.
Senior attack Julia Glavin leads Bentley in goals (42) and points (55). She has also converted 19 of 26 free position shots. She ranks seventh in the nation in free position goals per game (1.36) and 12^th in free position percentage (.731). Freshman Caroline Affolter and senior Cara McCarthy are tied for second on the Falcons with 19 goals apiece.
Junior Natalie Arieno has played every second of all 14 games in goal for the Redhawks. Arieno has faced 269 shots, made 101 saves, owns an 8.10 goals against average and .470 save percentage.
Roberts coach Kristin Paolini and Bentley coach Taylor Bastien were teammates on a high school all-star team that traveled to Prague in 2008. Bastien, who played attack, grew up in North Kingston, RI, and went on to a standout career at Bentley. Paolini, a goalie whose maiden name was Concordia, was a decorated, four-year starter at Siena College.
Attendance will be limited to 100 spectators (50 guests per team). The game will be live streamed on the ECC Sports Network.

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Players Mentioned

#33 Natalie Arieno: GK; 5' 6"; Sophomore

#19 Lindsey Brinkel: A; 5' 7"; Junior

#3 Alexis Grant: A; 5' 0"; Sophomore

#17 Taylor Nathan: M; 5' 5"; Junior

#7 Emily Tomei: M; 5' 9"; Junior

#6 Madison Bell: A; 5' 7"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#33 Natalie Arieno
: 5' 6"; Sophomore
: GK

#19 Lindsey Brinkel
: 5' 7"; Junior
: A

#3 Alexis Grant
: 5' 0"; Sophomore
: A

#17 Taylor Nathan
: 5' 5"; Junior
: M

#7 Emily Tomei
: 5' 9"; Junior
: M

#6 Madison Bell
: 5' 7"; Junior
: A