Central Michigan University Athletics
Opener Behind It, Lacrosse Team Hits The Road
2/19/2016 12:00:00 AM | Lacrosse
Zach Libby, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- The act of throwing a band of 25 freshmen and one sophomore into the fire two weeks ago against a veteran Big Ten group in Michigan worked according to plan in the eyes of Sara Tisdale.
The first varsity game for the Central Michigan women's lacrosse team was an example, Tisdale said, of what the Chippewas can amount to in the next few years.
For now, the focus is to work out the kinks and build confidence before the start of Atlantic Sun Conference play.
"We definitely had a great opponent in Michigan," Tisdale said in reflecting on the 14-1 loss. "It really helped us play up to a level that I'm not sure we've seen this season. There were way more benefits than drawbacks."
Six non-conference games remain on the schedule before CMU travels to Detroit Mercy on March 30 for its league opener, and only two games remain before the Chippewas' March 11 home opener with Delaware State.
On Saturday, CMU goes to Boiling Springs, N.C., for a non-leaguer with Gardner-Webb, which is 0-3 and has been outscored 58-13. The Bulldogs are coming off a 19-3 loss to William and Mary.
"It's a younger squad that's much more of an even playing field for us to go against and see where we stack up," Tisdale said.
Central Michigan will face a defense in Gardner-Webb that has compiled a save-percentage of 42.0, while successfully clearing the ball 36 percent of the time.
The Chippewas were able to shoot on goal against Michigan's goalkeeping duo of Mira Shane and Alli Kothari only 11 times, just three of which came in the second half.
Tisdale said that her team had some pretty good shots in the season-opener, but wants to see more opportunities this weekend.
"Our shot selection will improve with a little more experience," whe said. "But I'm pretty happy with where we executed on offense."
Turnovers were a major focus point in practice this week for the Chippewas, who allowed a total of 21 against Michigan, including 15 in the second half. Part of that discrepancy perhaps comes from simple roster size: The Wolverines had 20 more players on its roster than did the Chippewas.
"When you look at the first and second halves, you can see where the fatigue factor settled in for us," said Tisdale, whose team trailed 6-0 at halftime. "We kind of just ran out of gas."
On the defensive side for Central Michigan, freshman goalkeeper Dominique Hamman saw 38 shots from Michigan's attack, saving 10. Gardner-Webb averages 11.7 shots per game with an on-goal percentage of 37.1.
Alex Fusco is Gardner-Webb's leading scorer five goals on 10 shots. Abby Hanscom and Emma Rufolo have tallied three goals apiece. Fusco is the only player on Gardner-Webb's roster to have recorded an assist.
"Gardner-Webb has some quick little attackers," Tisdale said. "They have a good player on the attacking end that has a nose for the ball, she always seems to come up with it in scrums. Overall, we're really looking to push the ball in transition and value the ball when we have it."
