Galloway, NJ – Stockton University (11-7) captured their first ever postseason championship with an 11-7 victory over Marywood University (13-8) on Sunday afternoon. The Ospreys won the 2018 ECAC Division III Championship for the first time in the five-year history of the program. Tamara Torales (Basking Ridge/Ridge) led the team with three goals on the day and was selected MVP of the ECAC Tournament.
 
The teams fought a defensive battle early in the first half. Stockton took the lead for good when freshman Nicole Jandras (Egg Harbor Twp./EHT) and Abbey Yannacone (Manahawkin/Southern Regional) scored to give the Ospreys a 4-2 margin with 15:43 remaining in the half.
 
The Pacers sliced the lead to 4-3 before Stockton ripped off three consecutive tallies to forge a 7-3 advantage. Gaby Ojeda (Galloway/Absegami), Michaella Butrico (South Plainfield/South Plainfield) and Danielle Graham (Cherry Hill/CH West) hit the net with 2:29 left until the break. The visitors added one more marker to set the halftime score at 7-4.
 
The Osprey defense clamped down in the second half, holding the Pacers to three scores in the period. Marywood tallied the first goal of the frame and then Torales potted two goals, including a highlight-reel backhand tally, along with a Kristen Russo (Wayne/Wayne Hills) score for a commanding 10-5 lead. Marywood outscored Stockton 2-1 over the final 16:16, but time ran out and the game ended in favor of Stockton 11-7.
 
Butrico added two goals and two assists on the day, with Russo scoring twice. Ojeda tied Butrico with two helpers. Amanda Scarpa (Manalapan/Freehold Twp.) led all players with six ground balls and was solid on defense. Melanie Iatarola (Sewell/Washington twp.) scooped four ground balls and caused two turnovers. Freshman goalkeeper Stevie Ader (Califon/Voorhees) made nine saves in net for the Ospreys.
 
Marywood was led by Sam Bussinelli with a game high four goals. Teammate Molly Yelencscics topped all players with five draw controls and four caused turnovers. Goalkeeper Mary Leahy kicked out eight shots in net for the Pacers.
 
All-Tournament Team selections were Jessica Crew (Marymount) and Ashley Hobbs (Misericordia) plus Bussinelli, Yelencscics, Gwyneth Gleason and Erin Healy from Marywood and Butrico, Scarpa, Ader, Jandras and Russo from Stockton, with Torales being named Most Valuable Player.