Sunday, February 12
Saint Charles, Mo. / Lindenwood Univeristy
1 p.m. (ET)
Central Michigan University
1-0, 0-0
15
vs
12
California
1-1, 0-0
1
2
3
4
F
Central Michigan
4
3
5
3
15
California
3
3
1
5
12
Photo by: Jack Reeber '23,M'25 - @jackreeber.raw
Lacrosse Wins in Ward's Debut, Defeats California 15-12
2/12/2023 6:39:00 PM | Lacrosse
Seniors Kendall Hoyt and Maggie Diebold each scored three goals for CMU, while Makenna Huhn, Audrey Whiteside, Sadie Hinkle, and Kelly Hoyt each added two goals; goalkeeper Erin Owns recorded 13 saves while facing 25 shots.
SAINT CHARLES, Mo. –Sunday's season-opening victory proved to be a statement win for Emilia Ward in her first game as Central Michigan's Head Lacrosse Coach as the Chippewas opened their season with a convincing 15-12 victory over California Sunday at the neutral site of Lindenwood University.
Seniors Kendall Hoyt and Maggie Diebold each scored three goals for CMU, while Makenna Huhn, Audrey Whiteside, Sadie Hinkle, and Kelly Hoyt each added two goals. Sandy Edwards also scored in the victory for the Chippewas. Along with the goals, Kendall Hoyt had two assists, while Celia Dow, Makenna Huhn, Audrey Whiteside & Reagan Martinsen each notched one assist apiece.
In addition to the scoring, senior goalkeeper Erin Owens led the defense. Owens recorded 13 saves while facing 25 shots.
"This win feels great because it was a complete team victory." Ward said. "We had seven different goal scorers, our defense played outstanding and as a full unit, and Erin was the backbone in the net."
"Our team has set a goal to beat all the Power-Five schools on our schedule and this was step one," Ward said. "This victory shows a lot for the program and the direction we are headed. It shows that we are not afraid of an opponent, especially just because of what conference they play in. We are going to come out and play our game no matter what."
Central Michigan took control of the game in the third quarter when it scored five consecutive goals. Leading just 8-7, Hinkle scored on a pass from Dow at the 9:11 mark. Five minutes later, Hinkle scored again on an unassisted goal for a 10-7 lead, then Kelly Hoyt made it 11-7 on an assist from Huhn and Kendall Hoyt finished off the quarter with an unassisted goal with 28 seconds to play in the period. Kendall Hoyt completed the run with an unassisted goal to start the fourth quarter as CMU took a 13-7 advantage. But it was the play of the defense and Owens in goal that keyed Central Michigan's surge.
"Erin (Owens) had an unbelievable third quarter," Ward said. "She held them to just one goal and that was what really tipped it towards our favor."
After CMU took a 15-8 lead, the game ended with a 4-0 California run over the contest's final four mintues. That is something Coach Ward sees to build on moving forward and improve on.
"We had a few mental lapses, a couple starting the fourth quarter and a couple ending it, but for a young team and an early season test, that was great because they forced us to play an entire 60 minutes."
Proving to be the backbone of the CMU Lacrosse program, the 2023 Senior Class powered the team on Sunday as 10 of the 15 goals scored and three of the six assists were tallied by Central Michigan seniors.
Relying on the experience they do have, still as a young program is what Coach Ward thinks will be key moving forward.
"I think our leaders came out big today," Ward said. "Maggie, Kendall and Audrey with their leadership, and Kelly in the draw circle, was unbelievable. As much as our sophomore class showed their potential today, I think our senior class got the ball rolling and got us feeling confident. We are going to go as they go."
Central Michigan concludes its road trip to Missouri when it faces host Lindenwood on Tuesday, February 14th at 2 p.m. CT/3 p.m. ET.
Seniors Kendall Hoyt and Maggie Diebold each scored three goals for CMU, while Makenna Huhn, Audrey Whiteside, Sadie Hinkle, and Kelly Hoyt each added two goals. Sandy Edwards also scored in the victory for the Chippewas. Along with the goals, Kendall Hoyt had two assists, while Celia Dow, Makenna Huhn, Audrey Whiteside & Reagan Martinsen each notched one assist apiece.
In addition to the scoring, senior goalkeeper Erin Owens led the defense. Owens recorded 13 saves while facing 25 shots.
"This win feels great because it was a complete team victory." Ward said. "We had seven different goal scorers, our defense played outstanding and as a full unit, and Erin was the backbone in the net."
"Our team has set a goal to beat all the Power-Five schools on our schedule and this was step one," Ward said. "This victory shows a lot for the program and the direction we are headed. It shows that we are not afraid of an opponent, especially just because of what conference they play in. We are going to come out and play our game no matter what."
Central Michigan took control of the game in the third quarter when it scored five consecutive goals. Leading just 8-7, Hinkle scored on a pass from Dow at the 9:11 mark. Five minutes later, Hinkle scored again on an unassisted goal for a 10-7 lead, then Kelly Hoyt made it 11-7 on an assist from Huhn and Kendall Hoyt finished off the quarter with an unassisted goal with 28 seconds to play in the period. Kendall Hoyt completed the run with an unassisted goal to start the fourth quarter as CMU took a 13-7 advantage. But it was the play of the defense and Owens in goal that keyed Central Michigan's surge.
"Erin (Owens) had an unbelievable third quarter," Ward said. "She held them to just one goal and that was what really tipped it towards our favor."
After CMU took a 15-8 lead, the game ended with a 4-0 California run over the contest's final four mintues. That is something Coach Ward sees to build on moving forward and improve on.
"We had a few mental lapses, a couple starting the fourth quarter and a couple ending it, but for a young team and an early season test, that was great because they forced us to play an entire 60 minutes."
Proving to be the backbone of the CMU Lacrosse program, the 2023 Senior Class powered the team on Sunday as 10 of the 15 goals scored and three of the six assists were tallied by Central Michigan seniors.
Relying on the experience they do have, still as a young program is what Coach Ward thinks will be key moving forward.
"I think our leaders came out big today," Ward said. "Maggie, Kendall and Audrey with their leadership, and Kelly in the draw circle, was unbelievable. As much as our sophomore class showed their potential today, I think our senior class got the ball rolling and got us feeling confident. We are going to go as they go."
Central Michigan concludes its road trip to Missouri when it faces host Lindenwood on Tuesday, February 14th at 2 p.m. CT/3 p.m. ET.
Team Stats
CMU
CAL
Shots
33
33
Turnovers
14
12
Caused Turnovers
4
2
Draw Controls
16
14
Free-Position Shots
8
9
Ground Balls
13
10
Game Leaders
Players
G
3
A
2
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
1
CT
0
G
3
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
2
CT
0
G
2
A
1
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
1
CT
0
G
2
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
1
CT
0
Players Mentioned
A
/ Lacrosse
M
/ Lacrosse
A
/ LacrosseA
/ LacrosseM
/ Lacrosse
M
/ Lacrosse
A
/ Lacrosse
G
/ LacrosseM
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