Friday, May 13
Evanston, IL
5 p.m. ET
Central Michigan University
12-8
7
at
22
Northwestern
14-4
1
2
3
4
F
Central Michigan
3
1
1
2
7
Northwestern
8
7
3
4
22
Photo by: John Konstantaras
Lacrosse Shows Pride & Perseverance In First NCAA Appearance
5/13/2022 10:29:00 PM | Lacrosse
EVANSTON, Ill. – True, the Central Michigan lacrosse season came to an end on Friday with a 22-7 loss to No. 4 Northwestern in a first-round NCAA Tournament game at the Wildcats Martin Stadium.
But that result did little to dampen the enthusiasm and the sense of accomplishment for the seventh-year CMU program under coach Sara Tisdale.
"I think we put our best foot forward," fifth-year senior Hannah Potter said. "I'm proud of our team, proud of my teammates and our coaching staff."
The Chippewas won the Mid-American Conference regular season and tournament titles and reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time. They finished 12-8, a program record for victories.
The Wildcats, one of the sport's bluebloods, broke a 3-3 tie with a 12-1 spurt for a 15-4 halftime lead.
"I have nothing but pride and I think for the young women who are part of this program, and those who helped establish this program, today is what we've been working for," said Tisdale, who has coached the program since its inception. "You've got to start somewhere. The big dance is what it's all about. Only one team in the country gets to go out on a win and we were one of 29 teams that got to keep playing today and that's a huge honor and a huge privilege.
"I'm very proud with how we came out and competed. We were not intimidated in any way. I truly don't think that we were outplayed or that there was that much more talent on the field. I think those are experienced (Northwestern) players showing you that they know that every little possession counts and every detail counts on the field.
"We'll look back on this and know that we have the pieces, that we have the potential, and we'll keep growing and we'll keep getting better from here."
Kendall Hoyt and Brennan Paddy scored two goals apiece for CMU. Maggie Diebold scored her program record 65th goal of the season.
Potter, one of the many veterans who comprised the core of the team, said the Chippewas' 2022 season – Team 7 in program parlance – was the culmination of the efforts not only of those in uniform this season, but of those who came before.
"Since August we've said we were going to be MAC champs and we made that happen," she said. "That was our goal to make it to the NCAA for the first time ever, that was something we worked really hard for, but it was also the efforts of Class 1, Class 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. This has been a long time coming.
"It's emotional because it's the last time we're going to be together as Team 7 and we know it's a special group. It's the best team I've ever played on, the most fun I've ever had playing lacrosse. Sad that it's over, but incredibly proud and happy with what we've done."
Northwestern, which is a seven-time national champion and has twice reached the national semifinals in the last three years, will play either 16th-ranked Notre Dame or 18th-ranked Michigan on Sunday.
And while all three of those programs are tournament tested and among the nation's elite, CMU is just beginning to establish itself and looks to become a postseason regular.
"This is the new standard of excellence for CMU lacrosse, and I could be more excited about the future with today setting that standard," Tisdale said. "I think it's kids like Hannah Potter, and families like Hannah Potter's, that believe in you. They push you, they travel with you, they have the tough conversations.
"They push me, they make me better and Hannah was not afraid as a young person to say, 'Here's what I think we can do better and here's what I think you can do to be a better leader for us.'"
Tisdale pointed up many of the core veterans as those who made the sacrifices and took the necessary steps to bring the program to this point.
"They came and gave their very, very best," she said. "We have some of our alumni come back and they watch us play now, they are just blown away by the progress this program has made.
"I think it's all about culture and that's where it started for us in Year 1, from Day 1, when there was nothing and we believed in the culture, we believed in doing it the right way, not cutting corners, working harder than most.
"We have to do it differently than Northwestern. We can't do it the same way and so for us to find a way to come out and compete, it has to be unique, and it has to be different, and I think it starts with people first."
But that result did little to dampen the enthusiasm and the sense of accomplishment for the seventh-year CMU program under coach Sara Tisdale.
"I think we put our best foot forward," fifth-year senior Hannah Potter said. "I'm proud of our team, proud of my teammates and our coaching staff."
The Chippewas won the Mid-American Conference regular season and tournament titles and reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time. They finished 12-8, a program record for victories.
The Wildcats, one of the sport's bluebloods, broke a 3-3 tie with a 12-1 spurt for a 15-4 halftime lead.
"I have nothing but pride and I think for the young women who are part of this program, and those who helped establish this program, today is what we've been working for," said Tisdale, who has coached the program since its inception. "You've got to start somewhere. The big dance is what it's all about. Only one team in the country gets to go out on a win and we were one of 29 teams that got to keep playing today and that's a huge honor and a huge privilege.
"I'm very proud with how we came out and competed. We were not intimidated in any way. I truly don't think that we were outplayed or that there was that much more talent on the field. I think those are experienced (Northwestern) players showing you that they know that every little possession counts and every detail counts on the field.
"We'll look back on this and know that we have the pieces, that we have the potential, and we'll keep growing and we'll keep getting better from here."
Kendall Hoyt and Brennan Paddy scored two goals apiece for CMU. Maggie Diebold scored her program record 65th goal of the season.
Potter, one of the many veterans who comprised the core of the team, said the Chippewas' 2022 season – Team 7 in program parlance – was the culmination of the efforts not only of those in uniform this season, but of those who came before.
"Since August we've said we were going to be MAC champs and we made that happen," she said. "That was our goal to make it to the NCAA for the first time ever, that was something we worked really hard for, but it was also the efforts of Class 1, Class 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. This has been a long time coming.
"It's emotional because it's the last time we're going to be together as Team 7 and we know it's a special group. It's the best team I've ever played on, the most fun I've ever had playing lacrosse. Sad that it's over, but incredibly proud and happy with what we've done."
Northwestern, which is a seven-time national champion and has twice reached the national semifinals in the last three years, will play either 16th-ranked Notre Dame or 18th-ranked Michigan on Sunday.
And while all three of those programs are tournament tested and among the nation's elite, CMU is just beginning to establish itself and looks to become a postseason regular.
"This is the new standard of excellence for CMU lacrosse, and I could be more excited about the future with today setting that standard," Tisdale said. "I think it's kids like Hannah Potter, and families like Hannah Potter's, that believe in you. They push you, they travel with you, they have the tough conversations.
"They push me, they make me better and Hannah was not afraid as a young person to say, 'Here's what I think we can do better and here's what I think you can do to be a better leader for us.'"
Tisdale pointed up many of the core veterans as those who made the sacrifices and took the necessary steps to bring the program to this point.
"They came and gave their very, very best," she said. "We have some of our alumni come back and they watch us play now, they are just blown away by the progress this program has made.
"I think it's all about culture and that's where it started for us in Year 1, from Day 1, when there was nothing and we believed in the culture, we believed in doing it the right way, not cutting corners, working harder than most.
"We have to do it differently than Northwestern. We can't do it the same way and so for us to find a way to come out and compete, it has to be unique, and it has to be different, and I think it starts with people first."
Team Stats
CMU
NU
Shots
17
48
Turnovers
16
10
Caused Turnovers
5
12
Draw Controls
9
22
Free-Position Shots
7
11
Ground Balls
13
13
Game Leaders
Players
G
2
A
1
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
1
CT
0
G
2
A
1
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
2
CT
2
G
1
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
1
CT
0
G
1
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
1
CT
0
Players Mentioned
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