Lacrosse Opens Home Weekend Tonight

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- The Central Michigan Lacrosse team entertains a pair of non-conference opponents this weekend at the CMU Soccer/Lacrosse Complex.

The first game is on Thursday, April 18 against Coastal Carolina (6 p.m.). The second game is on Saturday, April 20 against Kent State (11 a.m.).

WHERE THEY STAND
CMU comes in at 6-8, 2-2 and is coming off an 8-6 loss to Southern Conference opponent Furman.

Coastal Carolina comes in at 10-4 and is coming off a victory over Kennesaw State 20-7.

Kent State comes in at 2-13 and is coming off a win against Howard 17-1. CMU beat Howard 20-1 earlier in the year.

LEADERS
Jocelyne Lemay leads CMU in goals with 37 on the season, the second-highest total in program history. Lemay had a record 49 goals in 2017 and last year had 36. Natalie Karlen leads the Chippewas in points with 45 (34 goals, 11 assists).

Hope Murray has clocked in over 416 minutes, has a 11.67 goals against average, and a .521 save percentage.

Dominique Hamman has clocked in over 371 minutes, has a 13.08 goals against average, and a .464 save percentage.

SCOUTING COASTAL CAROLINA
Haley Alexander leads Coastal in goals, with 45, and in points with 60.

When these teams faced each other last year, CMU came away with a victory on Costal Carolina's senior day.

"Coastal Carolina is very good, we've known that for a long time, they are a respected opponent," CMU Coach Sara Tisdale said. "Coming out with a win against Coastal Carolina on their senior day was a huge accomplishment on our end, and a program-defining win.

"There's a lot of similarities (from this year to last year). Not much has changed between (us and Coastal Carolina). If anything, we've both gotten a little bit better and little bit more refined.

"They have a lot of similarities to Furman as well, on their defensive end. Their goalies are pretty similar to Furman's as well."

SCOUTING KENT STATE
Lluna Katz leads Kent State in goals scored with 31. Abby Jones leads Kent State in points with 45 (28 goals, 17 assists).

The Golden Flashes are in their first year of varsity lacrosse, drawing comparisons from Tisdale to the Chippewas' first team four years ago.

"From February to April, they've gotten a lot better," Tisdale said. "They're rolling with a roster with (almost) all freshman, just like we were. And I know how deadly teams can get as the season goes on.

"I remember very clearly our first year, we beat Stetson at home in April, and they completely underestimated our team. I still have those memories being (a young team) in my mind. I know they'll come in, and compete. They're capable of coming in here and (steal a win) if we don't play at our very best.

"It'll be a good challenge for us playing an experienced Costal Carolina team and a young Kent State team, and see how we handle those different challenges."

NEXT
CMU celebrates senior day on Saturday, April 27 against Detroit Mercy (noon).

The seniors who are playing in their final home game are the last athletes from the first ever varsity lacrosse team.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Dominique Hamman

Natalie Karlen

Jocelyne Lemay

Hope Murray