Lacrosse Home Opener On Friday

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- The Central Michigan lacrosse team is set to entertain Cincinnati on Friday (3 p.m.) in its home opener at the Central Michigan Soccer/Lacrosse Complex.

WHERE THEY STAND
The Chippewas are 1-1 and are coming off a 16-6 win over Butler.

Senior Kelly Spehar led a strong CMU defensive effort last weekend against the Bulldogs. She was named the Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Monday.

Cincinnati is 3-2 and is coming off an 18-8 victory over Detroit Mercy.

STARTING FAST
The Chippewas have gotten out to fast starts in both of their games this season. They took advantage of the fast start in eventually posting a 10-goal victory at Butler.

"One of the things we really wanted to hit on was pushing in transition and playing confidently," CMU coach Sara Tisdale said. "We asked our players to push the ball in transition and look to catch (Butler) off guard. That fast start allowed a lot of our younger players, with less experience, to get quality minutes as well."

UNIQUE REWARDS
Tisdale, the only coach in the Chippewas' four-year history of lacrosse, has adopted a unique reward system for her players, and it extends off the field.

The Chippewas have embraced the Sherpa mindset, Tisdale said, eluding to a person who helps one to climb Mount Everest. A Sherpa, she said, may not recall the number of times he or she has reached the summit, but does know how many people they have helped get there.

After every great performance, be it in practice, in a game, or off the field, a Chippewa receives a climber's rope, as well as a Sherpa rope. The student-athlete who receives these ropes is then required to identify the person who helped them achieve their great performance.

THE CHIPPEWAS
Natalie Karlen leads the Chippewas with five goals, while Jessica Schuchardt has a team-high seven points (four goals, three assists).

CMU leads the SoCon in save percentage at .480, shares the league lead with 12 saves per game and ranks second in goals-against average (13.00).

SCOUTING
The Chippewas have played Cincinnati, which plays in The American Athletic Conference, in each of its first three seasons. The Bearcats play an uptempo offensive game coupled with a unique defensive look.

"They're a fast team," Tisdale said. "They're defense is very unique. Their head coach, Gina Oliver, was one of the better defenders of all time (when she played) and she's very crafty when it comes to their defensive concepts."

Junior Monica Borzillo is the Bearcats' top offensive threat with 22 goals and 12 assists for 34 points. She leads The American in all three categories.

NEXT
The Chippewas will travel to California to take on San Diego State on Tuesday, March 6 (6 p.m.) and then will play at UC Davis on Friday, March 8 (7 p.m.). CMU's next home game is Monday, March 11 (3 p.m.) against American.

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Players Mentioned

Natalie Karlen

Jessica Schuchardt

Kelly Spehar