ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Pace University Women's Lacrosse continues its NCAA Division II Championship run Thursday afternoon, as the Setters take on Florida Southern College in the national semifinals at Judson Stadium in Rochester, N.Y. Opening draw is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.

Pace enters the match-up at 16-5 overall after earning one of the biggest wins in program history, defeating #1 Adelphi University, 16-12, in the NCAA Quarterfinals in Garden City, N.Y. The victory sent the Setters back to the national semifinals for the second time in program history and continued a postseason run that also included a 13-12 NCAA second-round win over Mercy University at Northwell Stadium.

Thursday's semifinal features two programs with recent national championship experience. Pace captured the 2023 NCAA Division II national title, while Florida Southern won the 2016 championship and returns to the Final Four for the fifth time under head coach Kara Reber. In the most recent IWLCA Division II poll before championship weekend, Florida Southern ranked No. 2 nationally, while Pace checked in at No. 14.

The Setters have paired a high-powered offense with a strong defensive identity throughout the spring. Pace has outscored opponents 313-180 through 21 games, averaging 14.9 goals per game while holding opponents to 8.57 goals per contest. The Blue and Gold have also controlled possession with a 341-191 edge in draw controls while adding 411 ground balls, 218 caused turnovers, and an .878 clear percentage.

Pace has responded to one of the nation's toughest schedules with several ranked wins. The Setters opened the year with victories over then-No. 16 Dominican University and then-No. 20 Kutztown University, later added wins over then-No. 22 Saint Anselm College and then-No. 17 Mercy, and finished the regular season 8-1 in Northeast 10 Conference play before reaching the NE10 Championship game.

Marissa Doty has led the Pace midfield with one of the top all-around seasons in Division II. The NE10 Midfielder of the Year leads the Setters with 49 goals, 67 points, 48 ground balls, 41 caused turnovers, and 51 draw controls. Doty delivered one of her best performances of the season in the quarterfinal win over Adelphi, finishing with five goals, four assists, and four caused turnovers.

Annie Sheehan gives Pace another elite offensive creator heading into championship weekend. Sheehan leads the Setters with 45 assists and 78 points while adding 33 goals, 25 ground balls, and 24 caused turnovers. She also played a major role in the quarterfinal victory, totaling four goals, three assists, and seven draw controls as she and Doty combined for 17 points against Adelphi.

Mackenzie Carita and Maddie Schubert round out a deep Pace scoring group. Carita enters the semifinal with 45 goals, 30 assists, and 75 points, while Schubert has added 44 goals, 11 assists, and five game-winners. Lisa Heffernan has also given the Setters another key scoring option with 32 goals and four game-winning goals, including the decisive score with 36 seconds remaining in Pace's NCAA second-round win over Mercy.

In the draw circle, Sasha Kulo continues to set the tone for the Blue and Gold. Kulo enters Thursday with 204 draw controls this season, ranking third nationally in draw controls per game, and has pushed her career total to at least 433 after breaking the program record earlier this spring.

Freshman goalkeeper Camryn Smith has also played a major role in Pace's postseason push. Smith carries a 13-1 record with 78 saves and a 7.15 goals-against average, which ranks third nationally. In front of her, Colleen Gilligan, Sarah Scheidel, Alyssa Wolf, Alexandra Witucki, and Natasha Franchina have helped lead a defensive unit that has continued to make key stops throughout the NCAA Tournament.

Pace's postseason honors have reflected its balance across the field. The Setters placed 12 players on the All-NE10 teams, including Doty as NE10 Midfielder of the Year, and later added seven IWLCA All-East Region selections. Pace also had four USA Lacrosse Division II All-Americans, with Kulo earning First Team honors and Carita, Doty, and Gilligan receiving honorable mention recognition.

Head coach Tricia Molfetta has guided Pace through another national postseason run while continuing one of the strongest stretches in program history. Since taking over the program in the fall of 2017, Molfetta has led the Setters to the 2023 national championship and brings Pace into the 2026 national semifinals with a 124-35 record and a .780 winning percentage.

The semifinal adds another chapter to a recent series between two national contenders. Pace and Florida Southern have split their last four meetings, including Pace's 22-11 victory over the Mocs in the 2023 NCAA Semifinals on the way to the program's first national championship. Florida Southern won last year's regular-season meeting in Lakeland, while Pace won the 2024 match-up, 16-12.

Women's Lacrosse will face Florida Southern College in the NCAA Division II Championship Semifinals on Thursday, May 21, at 4:30 p.m. at Judson Stadium in Rochester, N.Y. For more information about the NCAA Women's Lacrosse DII Championship: CLICK HERE

For all information regarding Pace Athletics, log on to www.PaceUAthletics.com and follow Pace Athletics on Facebook (T-Bone, Official Mascot of Pace University Athletics), Twitter/X (@PaceUAthletics), Instagram (@PaceAthletics), and TikTok (@paceuathletics). In addition, the Official Pace University Athletics newsletter, Setters Sports Wrap, is available. CLICK HERE to sign up for weekly updates on Pace Athletics content.