The Massachusetts women’s lacrosse team hasn’t conceded one goal or fewer since March 20th, 2003. On Thursday, the Minutewomen (7-2, 2-0 Mid-American) held Central Michigan to just one goal in a dominant 22-1 win.
It wasn’t until there was 2:45 left in the third quarter that the Chippewas (1-9, 0-2 MAC) finally broke through UMass’ defense. After a missed free position shot from Heather Delbone, Central Michigan’s Kelsey Barratt gained possession. She provided an assisting pass to Lili Sorenson’s goal, the Chippewas sole shot past goalie Aidan Summer.
Summer, who entered the matchup after the halftime break, made just two saves during her thirty minutes on the turf. Both of which came in the third quarter.
“[Summer was] really confident out there, I know she’s been working really hard with coach [LaPrise], just doing her individuals and fine-tuning some skills,” head coach Jana Drummond said. “But she had a great warmup at halftime and was ready to rock and you could just tell that her connections with the defense showed through and that chemistry was there.”
As the first half came to a close, the Minutewomen were ahead 13-0 but as the third got underway, they slowed down only putting three past Central Michigan goalie Leila Kahler.
UMass’ first of the quarter came from Kassidy Morris. After a groundball was picked up near the draw circle and passed down to the red-shirt senior who ran up to the crease and went one-on-one with Kahler. Firing over Kahler near the crease, Morris recorded her seventh goal of the afternoon. She now sits at 207 career goals, four off from the program record.
The Ontario native started off strong, recording a hat-trick within the first quarter of play. With 3:42 left in the quarter, Morris received a pass from Dylan Lyons and ran to the face of the net, shooting over Kahler’s shoulder to put the Minutewomen ahead by six.
UMass’ two other goals in the third came from Dylan Lyons and Ava Connaughton.
Lyons scored an unassisted shot with 9:46 on the clock. After gaining control of the ball, the junior moved inside, sending a bouncing ball underneath Kahler for the Minutewomen’s 15th goal of the afternoon. The New Hampshire transfer ended the day with two goals and one assist.
Connaughton’s strike found the back of the net about a minute after Lyons’. Her goal came with an assist from Norah Prizzi, who passed from behind the net. After gaining control, the Westwood, Mass., native moved to the face of Kahler’s net, shooting over her shoulder. Connaughton ended the afternoon with two goals and a team-high four assists.
UMass had 12 different goal scorers on Thursday. Drummond gave credit to her offensive coaches for her team’s balanced attack.
One of those 12 goal scorers, Cat Lucas, scored her first career goal during the contest to kickstart the fourth quarter. Vivian LaMange passed from just inside the eight-meter arc on the right side to Lucas. Spinning slightly to face the net, Lucas shot behind Kahler into the bottom right corner.
It’s never easy moving to a new conference, but the Minutewomen have adjusted quickly. With Morris, Lyons and Connaughton leading the way, UMass can continue to dominate MAC play.
“Consistency,” Drummond said. “I think us continuing to start strong, taking care of the draw controls, ground balls, all the little details and graded plays, but also continue to work into the systems and play selfless.”
The Minutewomen will head on the road next to face Robert Morris. The matchup is scheduled for Saturday, March 28, at noon and can be streamed on ESPN+.
Emma Bensley can be reached at [email protected] and followed on X @emmabensley4.
