Granville, Ohio - The third-seeded Big Red of Denison used a strong defensive effort to defeat the fourth-seeded Oberlin College women's lacrosse team, 14-7, in the North Coast Athletic Conference Championship game on Saturday afternoon at Piper Stadium.

The Big Red caused 17 of Oberlin's 27 turnovers and also controlled possession throughout much of the match by winning 15 of the game's 23 draw controls.

With intensity running high on both sides, the defense shined through in the early going. However, the Big Red would ultimately break through for the game's first goal as Claudia Rafi cut in front of the crease and finished off a feed from Claire Ludlow.

Oberlin would get back to even as Grace Barlow weaved through the Big Red defense for her 52^nd goal of the year to tie the game at 1-1.

Denison would gain momentum with three straight scores to open up a 4-1 lead before Marissa Maxfield cut the deficit in half by scooping up a rebound on Sara Phister's shot attempt and quickly slinging into the back of the net.

However, the two-goal shortcoming quickly went right back up to three as just 36 seconds later Carol Allen finished off her second goal of the half to make it a 5-2 game.

Barlow's second goal of the contest with the help of a Natalie Rauchle assist cut the Big Red lead down to 6-3, but response goals proved to be a problem once again as the Big Red answered right back with a pair of their own to take an 8-3 lead into the intermission.

In the second half the Yeowomen defense tightened up, keeping the Big Red scoreless for over 20 minutes as they fought their way back into the game.

Just minutes into the second half, Morgan Daruwala finished off a pass from Hannah Heinke-Green and with 11:46 to go the Yeowomen would get back within three when Barlow setup rookie Sydney Garvis for her 20^th tally of the year to make it an 8-5 game.

The Big Red's scoreless streak would ultimately come to an end on Allen's third goal with 9:43 to go.

Oberlin continued to battle as Maxfield cashed in a free-positing attempt with just over eight minutes remaining in the game, but Denison continued with the response goals to create separation and put the game away for good.

Garvis would add a free-position goal in the closing minutes to cap the scoring for the Yeowomen.

Playing in the final game of her career, senior Kate Hanick joined Barlow, Maxfield and Alexa L'Insalata on the all-tournament team.

L'Insalata finished with 11 saves in her 60 minutes of work.

After playing in its first NCAC title game in 15 years, Oberlin ends the season with a record of 11-6 overall.