With less than two weeks remaining in the Division II women’s lacrosse regular season, it’s now clear that the 2012 ECC crown will come down to a trio of teams.

Like a carbon copy of ‘11, familiar foes C.W. Post and Dowling stand atop the standings with a season finale showdown looming that could decide it all. Last year, the Lions took the title and booked a trip to the NCAA Tournament thanks to a thrilling 15-14, double-overtime victory in the final weekend. Meanwhile, Molloy is still technically alive in ‘12, but will need a number of scenarios to unfold in order to come out on top.

All three teams now enter a critical stretch of games this weekend in which there’s no room for error. Ultimately, the squad that can best navigate the tricky waters ahead will be rewarded in the end.

For the Pioneers and Golden Lions, the situation is simple. Both programs must win their next conference games ahead of their May 5th showdown to ensure they’ll have a shot at the league title. However, should they stumble before next weekend’s big game, the road to the championship will certainly get a lot bumpier.  

As of Thursday, No. 5 C.W. Post (12-2 overall, 6-0 league) is currently in the driver’s seat of the ECC. On the heels of a tough 18-15 non-conference loss to West Chester on Tuesday, the Pioneers finish out their schedule with Adelphi (14-1) on Saturday, league foe Mercy (4-7, 2-3) next Tuesday, and then ECC rival Dowling (10-4, 4-0) next Saturday.

Most recently against national power West Chester, Pioneers forward Jackie Sileo posted two goals and seven assists to lead the way for her team. However, the Rams used a seven-goal run late in the second half to come away with the victory. Despite the loss, Sileo upped her points total to 99 for the year (30 goals and 69 assists), which ranks No. 1 overall in the NCAA. While the Pioneers saw their season-high eight-game winning streak come to an end, the team will look to rebound against Adelphi, the nation’s top-ranked squad. The tough late-season schedule should also serve as a major asset for the talent-laden Pioneers team.

Meanwhile, defending ECC champion Dowling is surging at the right time. The Golden Lions started the season sluggish at 2-3 but endured a tough schedule in the early going, having to face the likes of Saint Anselm, Stonehill, and Bentley.

However, since a 21-10 loss to Top-10 squad New Haven on April 4, Dowling has won six games in a row, scoring 15 goals or more in each contest. The offensive duo of Jackie Anderson and Brooke Witkowski has been nothing short of sensational for the Golden Lions of late. Witkowski has 39 goals and 49 assists on the year while Anderson has scored 52 goals and ranks in the Top 10 nationally for goals per game.

Dowling’s next big test comes against Molloy (8-7, 5-1) on Thursday night in a critical ECC match-up. The Golden Lions follow up with another league match-up against Bridgeport (3-7, 0-6) on Saturday. If Dowling can come out unscathed in those two ECC contests, they’ll be staring at a huge showdown next Saturday against archrival C.W. Post for the league championship.

At 5-1 in conference play, Molloy is still in the hunt for the league title. If the Lions can defeat Dowling on Thursday night and then St. Thomas Aquinas next Saturday, they will still have a chance to at least share the title. However, the Lions still need some help. Dowling must defeat C.W. Post on May 5. This would give all three teams one loss in conference action. Molloy’s only ECC loss came at the hands of C.W. Post, 20-3, back on April 14.

But don’t let the team’s 8-7 overall record fool you. Molloy has faced a brutal schedule in ’12, one featuring a long list of nationally ranked squads like Adelphi, New Haven, Le Moyne, and Bentley. With strong performances in league action this season, it’s clear that the team’s tough non-conference schedule has prepared them for ECC play.

However, if the Lions want any shot at the ECC title, they must defeat Dowling on Thursday. While Molloy is just 1-4 against Dowling since ’08, which includes a 16-8 loss last season, the team has looked sharp in its last three contests and will look to use that momentum to their advantage.

The Lions can expect production from their top scoring trio consisting of Kaitlynn Kelly, Alexa Toscano, and Emily Antonette. The standouts have combined for 90 goals in 15 games so far this season.

In the end, all eyes will be on C.W. Post, Dowling, and Molloy this weekend. But no matter how the games shake out, the ECC is looking at a fantastic finish once again in women’s lacrosse.

To contact ECC correspondent Adam Warner, send an e-mail to warner.adam@gmail.com.