YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – Top seed Young Harris College captured the 2026 Conference Carolinas Women's Lacrosse Championship title, defeating second seed Belmont Abbey College 13-11. The crown is the first in Young Harris program history.

Belmont Abbey got off to a hot start, scoring the first two goals of the game before a Young Harris tally. The Crusaders then scored four straight goals before a Mountain Lion goal cut their deficit to 6-2 after the opening 15 minutes.

Young Harris started the second quarter with three straight goals to pull within 6-5 before Belmont Abbey responded with three straight to extend their lead to 9-5. Sydney Craig scored back-to-back goals for Young Harris before a Belmont Abbey goal gave the Crusaders a 10-7 lead at the half.

The Mountain Lion defense clamped down in the third quarter, holding the Crusaders scoreless while tallying three goals to even the score at 10 going to the fourth quarter. The Mountain Lions took the lead with the first goal of the fourth quarter before Addyson Greenspan responded with a Crusader tally.

Addison Heiser then scored back-to-back goals for Young Harris, the first with six minutes remaining and the next with three minutes remaining to give Young Harris the 13-11 victory.

For the Mountain Lions, the crown marks their first title in program history.

Young Harris earns the automatic bid into the NCAA Division II Women's Lacrosse Championship. The selections will be announced on Sunday, May 4.
 

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2026 Women's Lacrosse Championship Awards

Builders Services of North Carolina Elite 26 Award
Kristie Fisher, Emmanuel

All-Tournament Team
MVP – Addison Heiser, Young Harris
McKenna Graf, Young Harris
Mary Troyer, Young Harris
Ella Clifford, Young Harris
Riley Parker, Young Harris
Yianna Giannoulis, Belmont Abbey
Addyson Greenspan, Belmont Abbey
Kimberleigh Hansberry, Belmont Abbey
Faith Piser, Belmont Abbey
Jordan Bolam, Mount Olive
Simone McCraw, Mount Olive
Olivia Wallach, Emmanuel
Demi Czynski, Emmanuel
 

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CHAMPIONSHIP WEBSITE | BRACKET
 

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2026 Conference Carolinas Women's Lacrosse Championship
Monday, April 20 - Quarterfinals (Higher Seed Hosts)
No. 5 Emmanuel def. No. 4 North Greenville, 12-11 BOX SCORE
No. 3 Belmont Abbey def. No. 6 Converse, 20-1 BOX SCORE
 
Thursday, April 23 - Semifinals (YHC Lacrosse Field – Young Harris, Ga.)
No. 1 Young Harris def. No. 5 Emmanuel, 20-13 BOX SCORE
No. 3 Belmont Abbey def. No. 2 Mount Olive, 14-8 BOX SCORE
 
Saturday, April 25 - Final (YHC Lacrosse Field – Young Harris, Ga.)
No. 1 Young Harris def. No. 3 Belmont Abbey, 13-11 BOX SCORE