Senior midfielder Lauren Dougher of The College of New Jersey finished her lacrosse career on a high note in the Division III championship, leading the Lions to the 2006 title over Gettysburg and breaking the record for career goals scored in the postseason.

Bolstered by four goals from Dougher and a hat trick from teammate Rachel Gordon, the Lions repeated as champion by beating the previously undefeated Bullets, 10-4, at Stevens Institute May 21.

The 2005 victory was over a heavily favored team as well — Salisbury came into the game ranked No. 1, just as Gettysburg did this year.

Dougher was named the tournament’s most outstanding player, an honor she also earned in 2005. She ends her career with 50 goals in the Division III tournament, surpassing the 46 scored by fellow Lion Jen Hart. Dougher also ends with 66 points, equaling the mark set by former Middlebury player Kristen Hanley.

“The accomplishments haven’t hit me yet,” Dougher said. “I am happy we won and that we are going out like this. There is no better way to end the season and my career.”

The Lions last won consecutive titles in the mid-1990s, when they were crowned champions six years in a row. Head coach Sharon Pfluger said every championship is special, and the 2006 title is no different.

“Every time feels like the first time. Every team works hard, but every team is different,” she said. “You have to look at what goes into the journey. It is wonderful to finish it off with a national championship, but the journey itself was just incredible, and I will never forget it.”

The Lions finished the season 15-2, with their only losses coming earlier in the season to Gettysburg and Cortland State, both by one goal. In the end, though, The College of New Jersey stopped Gettysburg just short of perfection, as the Bullets finished at 21-1.

Dougher led the team’s assertive offense, but the Lions’ defense was smothering, holding the Bullets to their lowest goal total since 1998. Two of Gettysburg’s first five shots bounced off the post, but the Bullets finally connected with 8:24 to play in the first half. The College of New Jersey dominated the game from start to finish, allowing only one goal in the first period, then holding the Bullets without a score until 12:25 left in the game.

Joining Dougher on the all-tournament team were teammates Meredith Spangler, Karen Doane, Megan Marquardt and Bridget Bigley. Gettysburg’s Jamie Heeneke, Callie Gates and Katie Ceglarski also made the team, as did Reginal Grosso and Erin Gallagher from Cortland State and Alision Perencevich and Elizabeth Renehan of Middlebury.

Semifinals

Cortland St.    6          1 —  7 

Gettysburg     4          7 — 11

Gettysburg scoring: Katie Ceglarski 2, Jamie Giffuni 2, Katie Hagan 2, Krissy Browning 2, Megan Moore 2, Ellie Shihadeh 1.

Cortland St. scoring: Ali Bourgal 2, Elizabeth Acee 2, Jill Battaglia 1, Erin Lynn 1, Jennifer Willis 1.

Shots: Gettysburg 23, Cortland St. 20. Goalkeeper saves: Gettysburg (Heather Kelley) 6, Cortland St. (Regina Grosso) 6.

TCNJ  6          7 — 13

Middlebury     5          4 —  9

TCNJ scoring: Lauren Dougher 4, Bridget Bigley 3, Karen Doane 2, Rachel Gordon 2, Kate Neese 2.

Middlebury scoring: Elizabeth Renehan 4, Alison Perencevich 2, Schuyler Winstead 1, Claire Edelen 1, Lisa Humes 1.

Shots: TCNJ 27, Middlebury 29. Goalkeeper saves: TCNJ (Megan Marquardt) 8, Middlebury (Blair Bowie) 10.

Championship game

TCNJ  5          5 — 10 

Gettysburg     1          3 —  4

TCNJ scoring: Lauren Dougher 4, Rachel Gordon 3, Bridget Bigley 1, Karen Doane 1, Kate Neese 1.

Gettysburg scoring: Megan Moore 2, Katie Hagan 1, Ellie Shihadeh 1.

Shots: TCNJ 25, Gettysburg 14. Goalkeeper saves: TCNJ (Megan Marquardt) 5; Gettysburg (Heather Kelley) 7.