Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
3-2
VCU
2-5
Late Goals Gives Lacrosse Dramatic Victory
3/13/2016 12:00:00 AM | Lacrosse
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippweas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - Central Michigan women's lacrosse is just five games in to its inaugural season.
The program got its most-dramatic moment in its brief history on Sunday when Jocelyne Lemay scored with 34 seconds remaining to give the Chippewas a 6-5 home victory over Virginia Commonwealth.
"Huge emotional boost and I think it really shows our players what we are capable of," CMU coach Sara Tisdale said. "To know that we were able to finish out a game, which we haven't been able to do until this moment, that is just another growing moment for us and it's so exciting to see that."
The win, CMU's second straight, lifted it to 3-2, and it closed the Chippewas' home-opening weekend in style. VCU is 2-5.
Lemay scored five goals, a school record, on six shots. She scored with just 16 seconds remaining in the first half to put CMU in front, 4-3.
VCU tied the game, 5-5, on a Mackenzie Galli goal with 8:57 left.
CMU goalie Dominique Hamman made five saves, none bigger than on a shot from near point-blank with about 4:25 remaining.
"Dom's a gamer," Tisdale said. "With that huge save there, to come out, step out - doesn't look much like a freshman to me.
"Defensive plays, those are game-changers. And we come at it with a defensive mindset. So that's really exciting."
The Chippewas took possession after that, and patiently worked the ball around the perimeter of the VCU goal. The Chippewas' Riley Huda made her move, coming from the backside to find Lemay in front. Lemay one-hopped it past goalie Ria Peralta for the dramatic game-winner.
"To think that that was a group of freshman who ran that play for 3 minutes, 45 seconds -- that's outstanding," Tisdale said. "That play has multiple options and we knew that was the first look and if it was there we were going to take it.
"We drew it up and we were able to execute it, almost perfectly."
Anna Schoonover also scored for CMU, which held a 19-13 edge in shots and committed 22 turnovers to 27 for VCU.
Schoonover and Summer Abdalla also had assists for the Chippewas, who play at Marquette in a non-league game on Saturday.
Molly Barcikowski scored two goals and had three assists to lead VCU.
