Express Ransack Hilbert in Rainy Rout, Secure Spot in AMCC Championship

AURORA, NY - As the rain steadily fell onto the site of Saturday's AMCC Semifinal, the Hilbert Hawks slowly saw their hopes of an AMCC Championship berth wash away at the hands of an Express team that was poised and ready for the moment. Wells, who had ran past Hilbert in the 2 regular season meetings between the two AMCC rivals, got out early and completed the 3-game season sweep of the Hawks by a score of 23-0, clinching their spot in the 2024 AMCC Championship and ensuring that the tense title chase will run through Aurora. With the victory, the Express secured their spot as the hosts of the 2024 Final, and got it done the only way they know how; fast and furious.

The AMCC's foremost offensive juggernaut was absolutely present today, as the Express saw the trio of Lydia Thomas, Jade Epp, and Julia Barnwell each find the cage 4 times. Epp and Thomas have been featured on the AMCC scoring leaderboards throughout the entire 2024 season, and kept up their torrid pace in the blowout.

Epp's 4-goal performance raised her total to 47 on the year, good for 3rd in the AMCC. 

Right ahead of Epp in the AMCC scoring race is Thomas. The recent entree to the 100 career point club launched her goal total to a staggering 50 on the season.

Despite those great performances, the AMCC's heaviest hitter was very much active in the semifinal showdown. Logan Lomonaco, the AMCC scoring leader, continued her crazy debut collegiate season by tallying a game-high 8 goals. Lomonaco saw her goal total balloon up to 61 in a stunning semifinal performance. Lomonaco also logged 3 assists and 4 ground balls in an all-around spectacle of a playoff debut.

Thomas was also finding her Express cohorts well, recording 4 assists in the match. 

Also with 4 assists was the Express' top dog on the draw, Hannah Lamont. Hannah Lamont, yet another stellar first year, managed 1 goal to go along with the 4 assists and jumped into 1st in the AMCC for assists with 30. She also logged a ludicrous 17 draw controls to add to an already otherworldly season on the draw. Prior to the match, Lamont was ranked 8th in the ENTIRE COUNTRY for draw controls per game at 9.73, sporting a total of 146. It's safe to say her ranking will increase after this performance, as the 17 wins on the draw have increased her season total to 163, an unfathomable mark for a first year. 

Lamont isn't alone in the national rankings though, as senior goalkeeper Lauren Spiegel is also ranked very highly in all of Division III for save percentage. Prior to the matchup, Spiegel ranked 6th in the country for save percentage at .528. With Spiegel and fellow first year goaltender Taelor Cid splitting time in the 60 minute shutout of Hilbert, surely Spiegel could also very well jump up higher in the national rankings. 

The Express goalkeepers as a unit can't jump any higher in the national rankings for save percentage though. With their combined save percentage of .566 they currently hold the top overall ranking in all of Division III. This unit is also the spearhead of an Express defense that has allowed the fewest goals per game in the country at 4.6 goals allowed per game. 

The Express secured their spot in the final by jumping on the Hawks early and controlling every facet of the match from start to finish. Wells outdrew the Hawks 22-4, outshot them 58-6, and outscored them 23-0, clinching their spot in the final.

Wells will welcome either Mount Aloysius or La Roche for the AMCC Tournament Championship next Saturday at 11:00 AM. The Mounties and Redhawks will battle at 7:00 Saturday night for the right to make one last visit to Aurora. 

GO EXPRESS!!

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