Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
-35 (01 ASun)
Detroit
-54 (10 ASun)
Chippewas Battle, But Drop Atlantic Sun Lacrosse Opener
3/30/2016 12:00:00 AM | Lacrosse
Zach Libby, CMUChippewas.com
DETROIT, Mich. - An attribute that has carried the Central Michigan women's lacrosse team through the schedule this season is its ability to hold its own against more-seasoned opponents.
That, so far, may have not translated into consistent victories, but it shows the potential the Chippewas have when the band of 24 freshmen and one sophomore begin to mold into a well-oiled machine, diminishing previous thoughts of them being a pushover in their first year of competition.
For coach Sara Tisdale, the competitive fires burn as brightly as ever and, despite her team's 13-8 loss to Detroit Wednesday in the Atlantic Sun Conference opener, there was plenty on which to build.
A quality example was seen on Titan Field where, after falling behind 9-3 early in the second half, the Chippewas (3-5, 0-1) went on a 5-2 run to cut their deficit to 11-8 with just under nine minutes remaining.
Central Michigan also seized the early advantage as Riley Huda scored twice to help stake CMU to a 3-2 lead 15 minutes into the game.
"Those two things are great points of the game," Tisdale said. "Unfortunately they weren't really strung together for a competitive run on either side of the ball, but for our very young club to handle themselves the way they did and battle back, we're pretty proud of that."
Huda finished with three goals for her first career hat trick, while Summer Abdalla and Logan Halvorson scored twice, and Kaitlin Kimble added a goal and an assist.
Detroit held a 30-13 advantage in shots, a 17-13 edge in ground balls, and won 13 draws to the Chippewas' nine.
"Having the ball more definitely would have helped us execute more," Tisdale said. "Took 13 shots and scored eight goals, so having the ball more I think would have made a different outcome."
The Chippewas finished 8-for-16 on defensive clears after going a perfect 14-for-14 Sunday in a 19-14 home loss to Robert Morris.
"Detroit loaded the front of their ride pretty heavily and we had a hard time handling that," Tisdale said. "We didn't make adjustments quick enough and that's probably on me. But clearing the ball was a sore spot for us."
Dominique Hamman made 10 saves while playing the entire game in goal for the Chippewas.
"Dom was excellent today," Tisdale said. "This is probably the best we've seen Dom play in the net and the last couple minutes when Detroit decided to stall, Dom actually played defense and took away passing options. She was truly a great defensive leader today."
Kaitlyn Wandelt scored five goals and Allison McDonough made two saves in goal to lead the Titans (5-4, 1-0), who have won five straight games.
CMU has nine days off before flying to the state of South Carolina for an Atlantic Sun game with Furman (April 8) and a non-leaguer with Presbyterian (April 10).
