Despite winning 14-5 in its Mid-American Conference semifinal game, the Massachusetts women’s lacrosse team fell into a three-quarter slump against Robert Morris.
After a six-goal first quarter, the Minutewomen (15-2, 7-0 MAC) fell into a slump, scoring an uncharacteristic two goals in the second.
“We relied on our talent, our skill naturally,” head coach Jana Drummond said. “When we started thinking about it, overcomplicating things, that’s where we got a little bit more stiff and then we weren’t in the right flow of things. So, if we keep doing that throughout the whole 60 [minutes] we’ll be so solid.”
In the second, UMass scored twice. The first came with 5:43 on the clock when Brigid Manning was awarded a free position shot. Running up towards Colonials (6-12, 3-4 MAC) goalkeeper Lucy Carney’s net, the senior shot over her shoulder to give the Minutewomen a 7-0 lead.
UMass’ second goal of the second quarter came about a minute and 20 seconds later from Sienna Diglio. After picking up a ground ball, the redshirt freshman ran on a breakaway into the eight-meter arc. Spinning around her defender, Diglio made a bounce shot past Carney. This was her first shot since the season opener against Holy Cross.
To close out the quarter, Robert Morris’ Lea Otts put the Colonials’ first shot past Bayley Duffy in net with an assist from Mia Berthoff.
Throughout the second quarter, the Minutewomen made two turnovers and missed six shots. Two of those missed shots were from awarded free positions, and Kassidy Morris took both of them. On the day, UMass went 4-for-10 from the spot.
Morris’ first awarded free position shot went wide after shooting. The second, awarded with 6:28 remaining, was saved by Carney.
“It’s more so making the decision of ‘Should we run it in? Do we do this and just take a step down?” Drummond said. “So, learning that, finding those looks are going to be key … and I know [Morris] did a good job executing after she started running it in.”
Although the Minutewomen made 40 shots on the day, many of them ended up wide. Only 21 of them ended up on goal. Carney saved 14 of them, providing difficulty for the UMass defense.
“A lot of [our shots] were wide, or they hit the pipe and [Robert Morris was] getting the ground balls,” Drummond said. “So, we got a lot of great shots off and we’re seeing those opportunities. [It’s] more so just having that extra second to take an ask and finish the shot and make a goal.”
In the third quarter, the Colonials scored two shots before the Minutewomen could get their feet underneath them.
UMass’ only goal of the third quarter was made by Morris from a free position shot with a minute and six seconds on the clock. The redshirt senior went 2-for-4 on the day from the spot on the eight-meter arc.
With 9:58 left in the first, Ava Connaughton won a shot. The junior’s attempt was saved by Carney, who hit the ball behind the net. Robert Morris made a false start before Connaughton took the shot, awarding a restart, which she also missed.
The Colonials found themselves in the same position in the fourth quarter. On the first shot, Duffy saved Berthoff’s shot, hitting it clear with her knee. However, a restart was given. The second attempt from Robert Morris’ leading scorer for the day rocketed over Duffy’s shoulder.
Katie Peterson made the first shot from the arc in the first quarter with 10:35 on the clock. She went 1-for-2 on the day.
Entering the championship game on Saturday, Drummond said the Minutewomen will have to find more shots on the net.
UMass will face Akron next Saturday, May 2. First draw is scheduled for 12 p.m. and can be streamed on ESPN+.
Emma Bensley can be reached at [email protected] and followed on X @emmabensley4.
