In the Mid-American Conference preseason poll, the Massachusetts women’s lacrosse team received six first place votes. On Saturday, the Minutewomen (17-2, 7-0 MAC) played to those lofty expectations, taking down the reigning champion Akron in the conference championship 15-3.
Six different UMass scorers helped secure the program’s first MAC championship. Kassidy Morris and Katie Onderdonk’s four-goal performances led the offense.
Morris’ hat trick goal of the afternoon came with 37 seconds left in the first half. After picking up a ball from behind the net, the redshirt senior ran around the back end of the field. Finding herself near the crease, Morris shot on the right pipe, putting the ball behind Zips (12-6, 6-1 MAC) goalie Adrianna Califano. The shot resulted in the Ontario native’s 70th goal and 100th point of the season.
The first team all-conference member’s first goal of the afternoon was made just 26 seconds into the first quarter. After Lil Hancock picked up a ground ball from the draw control and brought it downfield, Morris received the ball from Dylan Lyons near the crease.
Controlling it in her stick, Morris turned, shooting over Califano’s right shoulder for the early lead.
“Even while being a face guard, [we know] that we can still play in that system and still get [Morris] some looks open, without forcing it,” head coach Jana Drummond said. “I think that shows how trustworthy they are with coach Katie [Moses].”
Onderdonk’s fourth goal closed out the matchup. After receiving an assisting pass from Scarlet Cifarelli and controlling the ball, the redshirt sophomore ran up to the crease for her 25th goal of the season.
“[I’m] really just proud of how [Onderdonk] executed,” head coach Jana Drummond said. “The looks that they found to see her, a lot of hers [were] assisted goals, so [she’s just] executing so well.”
Katie Peterson also contributed to the Minutewomen offense with a hat trick Saturday.
The junior’s hat trick was completed in the third quarter with 11:08 on the clock. Morris first found Peterson outside of the 12-meter fan. After receiving the ball and controlling it, the attacker ran inside to the eight-meter arc, shooting across the front of the net to put UMass ahead 9-2. Her shot led to the first of two goals that the Minutewomen made in the third.
The Franklin, Mass. native’s first two goals of the day came within the first quarter, three minutes apart. The first came from an assist from Hancock placing Peterson near the crease for UMass’ second goal of the contest. Her second was made from a jump shot just inside the eight-meter arc.
The Minutewomen won 16 of the 20 draw controls throughout the game, with freshman Cate Marshall winning 11 on her own. Stepping into the circle this season, Marshall has been an integral part of the UMass offense. The Grand Rapids, Mich. native has already eclipsed 100 draw controls with 163 on the season.
“For her, being a freshman having that position…it’s a lot of pressure in that position because all eyes are on you,” Drummond said. “Having her execute what she does as a freshman and the work that she puts in, what she studies and the confidence she has with her teammates around her is really remarkable. [I’m] really proud of her and everything she does and getting to work with her has been a real pleasure.”
With the win in hand, the Minutewomen have earned an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. The selection show is on Sunday, May 3 at 9:00 p.m. on ESPNU.
Emma Bensley can be reached at [email protected] and followed on X @emmabensley4.
