Central Michigan University Athletics

Home Is Sweet For CMU Lacrosse
3/11/2016 12:00:00 AM | Lacrosse
Jim Knight, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- On a day of firsts, the Central Michigan lacrosse team controlled the action from start to finish in a 19-5 victory against Delaware State in its inaugural home game at the CMU soccer-lacrosse facility.
The Chippewas (2-2) attracted an enthusiastic crowd of about 100 fans, including two young boys with lacrosse sticks, a dog with a CMU bandana and a group with a bunch of maroon and gold balloons.
The CMU fight song was played during player introductions and after each goal, and CMU coach Sara Tisdale noticed the difference from practicing at the new 6,941-square-foot facility, which opened for the soccer team in September. On Friday, blue skies and temperatures near 50 degrees greeted the players.
"Our stadium looks great," Tisdale said. "The energy you get from your crowd and hearing the fight song play after each goal, that's really exciting."
Central controlled the draws and showed a patient attack as it built an 8-0 lead in the first 22 minutes. The Chippewas led 10-1 by halftime and nine players scored by the end of the game as CMU outshot Delaware State, 40-14.
For the record, freshman midfielder Sydney Wright scored the first goal at the new facility at 28:35 of the first half.
Jocelyne Lemay scored three first-half goals and finished with four. Anna Schoonover had three goals and an assist, including a second-half goal just 10 seconds after Lemay scored. Logan Halvorson also had three goals and an assist.
Wright, Auguste Jepsen and Riley Huda had two goals apiece.
"There is no greater feeling than getting that first win at home," Huda said. "I think that's what we all worked for. Being a first-year program, you got to come out like you're the underdog and put everything in it to win."
Dominique Hamman started in goal for CMU and earned the victory, making four saves. Clare Laughery, a freshman from Orange County, Calif., took over for the last 40 minutes and made three saves.
Laughery said being able to be a small part of history by playing the inaugural game at the new facility "was awesome."
"Coach Tisdale told us, 'Yeah, it's going to be hard, but it's going to be worth it because you can make this program what you want it to be,'" Laughery said. "This group is able to make this program something special because we're working hard. We're lifting, running hard - we're not just practicing. It's all about building an entire athlete here, not just a lacrosse player."
Central Michigan has another home game at 1 p.m. Sunday against Virginia Commonwealth (2-4).