DAVIDSON, N.C. – A dominant first half powered No. 2 seed VCU to an 18-12 victory over No. 3 seed St. Bonaventure in the semifinal round of the 2026 Betterment Atlantic 10 Women’s Lacrosse Championship on Friday, sending VCU to its first title game appearance in program history.
 
VCU led wire-to-wire, starting with a free position goal from junior attacker Sam Palmer. The Rams recorded the first eight goals of the contest – scored by six different student-athletes. St. Bonaventure senior Rylee Gonzalez got the Bonnies on the board in the second quarter and a free position goal by Sidney Van Tassel moments later made the score 8-2. Palmer secured a hat trick before the end of the first half, though, helping VCU head to the break with a 9-3 lead.
 
VCU senior Kiley Kozak added two goals early in the second half, becoming the second Ram to achieve a hat track on Friday. Amelia Eilbacher joined the club shortly afterwards. The Bonnies continued to fight, outscoring VCU 5-4 in the fourth quarter.
 
Palmer finished the game with a match-high five goals on five shots, while Eilbacher added four goals on five attempts. A-10 Midfielder of the Year Brooke Piper paced the Bonnies with four goals and one assists.
 
Although the teams’ both recorded 26 shots, VCU held advantages in turnovers (5-12), saves (9-2), ground balls (14-12), and free position shots (8-3).
 
The Rams advance to Sunday’s championship final slated for 12 p.m. ET, facing No. 4 seed Davidson.