Rochester Women Win Fourth Straight Title

The Yellowjackets defeated the Cardinals, 56-42, to win their fourth consecutive Chase title. The Yellowjackets have won six of the last seven championship games (they lost the 2005 final to Fisher). The fourth straight team title is a tournament record for the women and matched the exisiting record for the men.

Alex Porter was named the MVP of the tournament. She had 12 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, and four steals in the title game. Julie Marriott and Melissa Alwardt were named to the All-Tournament First Team. Marriott had 14 points against the Cardinals. Alwardt had nine points, hitting five late free throws to help wrap up the win.

The Cardinals were fueled by Mary Kate Comfort with ten points and three steals and Stephanie Sweeney with eight points and three steals. Both were named to the All-Tournament First Team as well.

Porter started off the game strong for Rochester, immediately pulling down a rebound at each end of the court and scoring their first four points with two layups. By ten minutes into the game, the ‘Jackets had widened the lead to 17-8. Fisher rallied, going on a 9-0 run to tie the game at 17 kicked off by a layup from Comfort. Rochester answered back when Jessica Mastronardi got a steal and was fouled, making her two subsequent free throws. Both teams were stagnant until a little less than four minutes to play in the half, when Alicia Testani hit a three-pointer and Maddie Korber made two foul shots to bring the lead back up to seven. Rochester kept maintained that margin and led 27-20 at the half.

The second half Rochester’s offense centered mainly around Porter and Marriott, who had 20 of Rochester’s 29 points in this half. Marriott started off the half with four quick points. Comfort then had four for the Cardinals. With 12 minutes to play, the Yellowjackets had their largest lead of the game at 41-28, due to six more points from Marriott and four from Porter. Fisher then went on an 8-0 run to come within seven. Alwardt then stepped up, making five of six free throws to boost Rochester. Two more good free-throws from Rachel Stern with 30 seconds to play sealed the deal for the ‘Jackets, and the final score was 56-42.