Thursday, May 2
Greenville, S.C.
5:00 P.M. ET
Central Michigan University
7-11, 2-3SoCon
9
vs
13
Mercer
9-9, 4-1SoCon
1
2
F
Central Michigan
5
4
9
Mercer
7
6
13
Photo by: Allissa Rusco
Chippewas Rally, But Fall Short in SoCon Tourney Semifinal
5/2/2019 9:00:00 PM | Lacrosse
CMU's season comes to a close
GREENVILLE, S.C. -- The end on the season, the end of an era.
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The Central Michigan lacrosse team saw its season come to end on Thursday, with a 13-9 loss to top-seeded Mercer in a Southern Conference Tournament semifinal at Furman's Paladin Stadium.
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The Chippewas closed a 7-11 season, the fourth in program history and the last for 11 seniors who comprised coach Sara Tisdale's first recruiting class ahead of the 2016 season, CMU's first for varsity lacrosse.
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"With the season at a close, I am extremely grateful to our first class of players and their families," Tisdale said. "Building a program is not easy. Look around at other new programs, what we have been able to do with these amazing seniors is impressive.
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"The seniors gave this program a heartbeat. They are the love. They are the reason players from across the country want to come to CMU. Their contributions aren't measured in one game. Their body of work and what they gave to this university is special."
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HOW IT HAPPENED
Mercer scored four of the game's first six goals to seize a 4-2 lead. The Chippewas never gained the lead, and trailed 11-6 with just over 10 minutes to play.
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Three straight goals, two by Emma Hamilton and one by Tyra Prince, pulled CMU to 11-9 with two minutes remaining. The Bears scored twice in the final 1:50 ice the game.
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"I am happy with our game," Tisdale said. "We got the looks we wanted but just didn't shoot well enough to turn those looks into a win."
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LEADERS
Hamilton scored three goals and added two assists for her fifth hat trick of the season. Natalie Karlen, Shannon Doyle and Prince each scored two goals. Karlen added two assists.
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Both Dominique Hamman and Hope Murray played in goal for the Chippewas. Hamman logged 48-plus minutes, and had six saves. Murray made three saves in 11-plus minutes.
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MOVING ON
Mercer (9-9), the defending tournament champion, advances to Saturday's championship game where it will play either Detroit Mercy or Furman. The Titans and Paladins were scheduled to meet in a semifinal game on Thursday night.
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The Central Michigan lacrosse team saw its season come to end on Thursday, with a 13-9 loss to top-seeded Mercer in a Southern Conference Tournament semifinal at Furman's Paladin Stadium.
Â
The Chippewas closed a 7-11 season, the fourth in program history and the last for 11 seniors who comprised coach Sara Tisdale's first recruiting class ahead of the 2016 season, CMU's first for varsity lacrosse.
Â
"With the season at a close, I am extremely grateful to our first class of players and their families," Tisdale said. "Building a program is not easy. Look around at other new programs, what we have been able to do with these amazing seniors is impressive.
Â
"The seniors gave this program a heartbeat. They are the love. They are the reason players from across the country want to come to CMU. Their contributions aren't measured in one game. Their body of work and what they gave to this university is special."
Â
HOW IT HAPPENED
Mercer scored four of the game's first six goals to seize a 4-2 lead. The Chippewas never gained the lead, and trailed 11-6 with just over 10 minutes to play.
Â
Three straight goals, two by Emma Hamilton and one by Tyra Prince, pulled CMU to 11-9 with two minutes remaining. The Bears scored twice in the final 1:50 ice the game.
Â
"I am happy with our game," Tisdale said. "We got the looks we wanted but just didn't shoot well enough to turn those looks into a win."
Â
LEADERS
Hamilton scored three goals and added two assists for her fifth hat trick of the season. Natalie Karlen, Shannon Doyle and Prince each scored two goals. Karlen added two assists.
Â
Both Dominique Hamman and Hope Murray played in goal for the Chippewas. Hamman logged 48-plus minutes, and had six saves. Murray made three saves in 11-plus minutes.
Â
MOVING ON
Mercer (9-9), the defending tournament champion, advances to Saturday's championship game where it will play either Detroit Mercy or Furman. The Titans and Paladins were scheduled to meet in a semifinal game on Thursday night.
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Team Stats
CMU
MER
Shots
30
28
Turnovers
13
15
Caused Turnovers
7
7
Draw Controls
13
9
Free-Position Shots
8
5
Ground Balls
11
16
Game Leaders
Players
G
3
A
2
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
0
CT
0
G
2
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
1
CT
0
G
2
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
2
CT
1
G
2
A
2
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
0
CT
0
Players Mentioned
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