Express Hang on in Regular Season Finale, Enter AMCC Tournament at 14-1

KEUKA PARK, NY - It took all 60 minutes and some very clutch defensive holds, but as the clock hit 0 on Thursday night in Keuka, the Express capped off their historic regular season with an 8-7 victory over the Wolves. The Express finished their magical run with only 1 bump in the road, ending with an unbelievable 14-1 record. 

In a year full of record-breaking offensive performances, it was the Express' staunch defense that catapulted them to a gritty 1-goal win on Thursday night. 

Lauren Spiegel engineered myriad defensive stands for the Express, saving 10 shots in the game including a very clutch stick save in the final seconds of the match which ran off enough time to make a Wolves equalizer very unlikely. The reigning AMCC Defensive Player of the Week walled up expertly against the Wolves, even holding them scoreless for the entire 3rd quarter. 

Spiegel's counterpart in the AMCC honorees this week also had quite the showing, as back-to-back AMCC Offensive Player of the Week Lydia Thomas ended her final regular season game as the most dangerous player on the field, scoring 4 of the Express' 8 goals and also assisting in another Express score. Thomas has come a long way since she first donned an Express uniform, and her recent torching of opposing defenses in the past couple weeks has showcased the culmination of all the work she's put in during her time in Aurora. 

Thomas and the Express displayed their composure at the end of the proceedings, allowing 2 goals in the final 5 minutes but eventually adapting and holding out during crunchtime for the impressive 1-goal victory. 

Thomas scored the last two goals of the night to secure the Express' win, but wasn't alone in the offensive effort, receiving help on the attacking end from first year Logan Lomonaco who finished with 2 goals, 1 assist, 5 ground balls, and 4 draw controls. 

Lomonaco and Thomas finished as the AMCC's top 2 scorers this season and on Thursday they displayed the offensive ability that allowed them to attain those marks.

Lomonaco finished 1st in the AMCC for both goals and assists, getting 53 scores and 26 helpers in only her first season at the collegiate level. 

Thomas ended up 2nd in the conference for scores and 3rd for assists, with 46 and 24 respectively. 

Matching Lomonaco atop the AMCC assist leaderboards was fellow first year Hannah Lamont who also logged 26 assists. Lamont also finished in 4th for goals with 40 and 8th in ALL OF DIVISION III for draw controls per game with 10.14. 

Jade Epp rounded out an amazing offensive season for the Express, finishing 3rd in the conference with 43 goals. 

The Express now set their sights on the 2024 AMCC Tournament and a date with 4th seeded Hilbert fast approaching this Saturday. The Express clinched home field advantage for the tournament with their 6-0 conference record and 2024 AMCC Regular Season Championship. With the AMCC Championship running through Aurora, the Express will hope to add a couple more tallies in the win column to finish up their unforgettable year. 

GO EXPRESS!!

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