SALEM, Va. – With just 55 seconds left to play, junior Leigh Titus (Towaco, N.J./Montville) scored the game-winning goal, as the No. 3 Lock Haven University lacrosse team (18-3) edged No. 4 Limestone College (17-3) 13-12 today in a NCAA Division II Semifinal-thriller.

With the win the Lady Eagles advance to tomorrow’s (Saturday, May 17) NCAA D-II Championship game, while also avenging an early season loss to the Saints.

Titus finished with two goals and one assist.

Senior Amber Hoch (Souderton, Pa./Souderton) looked poised to end her career on a high note, as she was the spark in Lock Haven’s offense today. She scored a game-high five goals and added one helper.

Her five goals today, give her 70 on the year (team-high), which runs her career total to 210, tying The Haven’s all-time career record.

Freshman Kayleigh Johnson (Fairport, N.Y./Fairport) added a hat trick for LHU, while also contributing one assist.

Allison Berger (Oreland, Pa./Springfield – Delco) turned in a two-goal effort and Elyse Fisher (Jackson, N.J./Jackson Memorial) added one tally.

Defensively, Lock Haven was led by a familiar face, as Kathleen Zichelli (South Orange, N.J./Columbia) snagged three ground balls and caused three turnovers.

Junior goalie Kira Nuttall (Towson, Md./Loch Raven) got her second straight start between the pipes and didn’t disappoint. She made 11 saves on the day, including one in the game’s opening minutes on a free-position attempt that surely set the tone for the game.

The Lady Eagles wasted little time in getting on the board.

Hoch put LHU up 1-0 just over two minutes into the game.

Less than two minutes later it was 2-0 Hoch and Lock Haven was in control.

Limestone wasn’t going to roll over and rattled off four straight strikes to take a 4-2 lead. Limestone’s fourth goal, with 22:45 to go in the opening half would be its last of the first 30 minutes.

Lock Haven closed out the opening half with six straight goals, as LHU led 8-4 at the break.

Much like LHU’s run to the end the first, Limestone countered with a five-goal run to the open the second half.

Limestone’s five-goal burst gave the Saints a 9-8 advantage.

The two teams went back-and-forth, with neither giving an inch late in the game.

With 2:09 to play Lauryn Wise scored an unassisted goal for Limestone to tie the game at 12-12.

Wise finished with a Saint team-high four goals.

Lock Haven however would not be outdone today and with less than minute to play Titus ripped the eventual game-winner past LC goalie Brigid Milchling.

Lock Haven is back in action tomorrow at noon when they take on No. 1 ranked and undefeated Adelphi (17-0) for the National Championship.