CMU Lacrosse Goes To Detroit For League Opener
3/29/2016 12:00:00 AM | Lacrosse
Zach Libby, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - A newly established rivalry commences on Wednesday as Central Michigan goes to Detroit for the Atlantic Sun Conference women's lacrosse opener.
The Chippewas are 3-4, the Titans 4-4. CMU is in its first year as a varsity program, Detroit in its seventh. The game will be streamed live on ESPN3 at 4 p.m.
It's also important to examine the shortened rest for a team consisting of 24 freshmen and one sophomore. With only two days off between last Sunday's 19-14 home loss to Robert Morris, it marks the second time this season that CMU has had less than a week of rest between games.
Despite potentially tired legs, the atmosphere and energy were upbeat, knowing what it would mean to bring home a win in the conference opener, CMU coach Sara Tisdale said.
"The way we're looking at this is that all of the games leading up to this point have just gotten us ready and everybody has a 0-0 record," Tisdale said. "No doubt those experiences are important and I like where we stand if we're able to learn from those seven small lessons that we've had so far."
Wednesday is also CMU's first weekday game, bringing a new experience for a team that features 24 freshmen and one sophomore.
Detroit has won four straight games after an 0-4 start that included losses No. 18-ranked Ohio State and Marquette. There are four common opponents between the Chippewas and Titans, Marquette, Cincinnati, Virginia Commonwealth and Delaware State.
Detroit, like CMU, beat VCU and Delaware State and lost to both Marquette and Cincinnati. Detroit ranks third among Atlantic Sun teams in goals per game (11.38) and goals allowed per game (10.5). The Chippewas are sixth (9.29) in goals scored, fifth in goals allowed (11.14).
Detroit's midfielder group is arguably its strength. The Titans have four players - Katilyn Wandelt, Lexie Kinmond, Morgan Girardi and Kylie Birney - who have each scored at least 15 goals.
Wandelt and CMU's top scorer, Jocelyne Lemay, are tied for sixth in the Atlantic Sun with 17 goals apiece.
Defensive sliding was a major focus in practice this week for Central Michigan, which is seeking to tighten up defensively after surrendering 19 goals to Robert Morris on Sunday.
Seven of the Colonials' goals in that game came with a midfielder cutting to the crease.
"Not only sliding, but sliding to double, you're sliding to help, what are you sliding for?" Tisdale said. "And that's a teaching moment. they did a lot of learning, we did a lot of teaching in terms of just concepts. It's hard to work on until you're tested and you see your weaknesses."
