LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The No. 4 Lock Haven University lacrosse team (16-3) took down perennial power and arch-rival West Chester University (14-3) 13-10 to claim the 2009 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championship.

It marked the Lady Eagles fourth conference crown in school history and first since 1981.

Lock Haven jumped all over No. 6 WCU early, dominating the flow of the game from the opening whistle.

Junior Leigh Titus (Towaco, N.J./Montville), the tournaments MVP led Lock Haven with a six-point afternoon. Titus scored one goal, but proved to be a valuable asset all over the field.

Titus dished out five assists, including helpers on Lock Haven’s first two goals. She turned in all-around effort, while also picking up three ground balls and causing two turnovers.

Amber Hoch (Souderton, Pa./Souderton), The Haven’s lone senior saved a tremendous performance for her final conference championship game, scoring five goals.

Freshmen Kayleigh Johnson (Fairport, N.Y./Fairport) and Elyse Fisher (Jackson, N.J./Jackson Memorial) both netted hat tricks.

The Haven got a phenomenal effort on defense from Krystalle Neighbor (Dunellen, N.J./Rutgers Preparatory) and Kathleen Zichelli (South Orange, N.J./Columbia).

Zichelli had 10 ground balls and caused two turnovers, while Neighbor added five ground balls.

Heather Sacko (Fairport, N.Y./Fairport) was sensational between the pipes for the crimson and white, making 12 saves.

LHU quickly went up 1-0 as Fisher tallied her first goal less than a minute in.

Less than three minutes in, it was 3-0 Lock Haven and that early lead helped the Lady Eagles hold a 9-5 advantage at halftime.

With 6:07 to play in regulation, LHU led 13-7 and West Chester went on a run, but Lock Haven’s strengthened and held on for the huge win on Charlotte E. Smith Field.

This marked the first loss for West Chester’s first loss in the PSAC title game since 2003.

The Lady Eagles had finished as runner-up to WCU in the last three championship games.

The Lady Eagles will now have to sit back and wait until the NCAA announced the Division II lacrosse field.