Sunday, February 26
Ann Arbor, Mich.
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Central Michigan University
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Photo by: Jasper Warner '25 - @jasperwarnermedia
Lacrosse Drops Hard Fought Battle with No. 18 Michigan
2/26/2023 7:42:00 PM | Lacrosse
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – A heroic comeback attempt by the Central Michigan Women's Lacrosse team fell short as No. 18 ranked Michigan broke a 6-6 tie late in the fourth quarter. Josie Gooch scored an unassisted goal with 2:08 to play to help the Wolverines register a 7-6 win over the Chippewas Sunday afternoon at the U-M Lacrosse Stadium. The Chippewas fall to 1-3 on the young season.
Central Michigan battled back from deficits two different times. The Chippewas trailed 5-1 but scored four consecutive goals to tie the game at 5-5 late in the third quarter. Audrey Whiteside started the rally with an unassisted goal at the 4:46 mark of the second quarter and Maggie Diebold followed with an unassisted goal of her own as CMU cut the deficit down to 5-3 at halftime. Reagan Martinsen made it 5-4 on an unassisted goal at the 7:35 mark of the third quarter and Kelly Hoyt tied the game at 5-5 on a goal after receiving a pass from Sadie Hinkle.
After Michigan scored to take a 6-5 lead early in the fourth quarter, CMU answered again with a Celia Dow goal off an assist from Martinsen. That goal tied the game at 6-6 with 9:37 to play.
With the score deadlocked at 6-6, CMU stopped several Michigan scoring attempts, but Gooch scored her game-winner with 2:08 to play.
Central Michigan first-year Head Coach Emilia Ward was pleased with her team's execution.
"This was a full team effort," Ward said. "Our offense had really long possessions; whether we scored a goal or not, we gave the defense the rest they needed in that time. We were 8-8 in clears during the third quarter which gave us the real opportunity to possess the ball and get into our scoring zone."
"Today's performance shows the level in which we can compete at. The speed, the physicality, the execution on both ends of the ball shows that this is the expectation for us the rest of the season. Regardless of the opponent, this is how CMU Lacrosse plays."
Central Michigan's showing was highlighted by sophomore goalkeeper Alexa Martel's performance. Martel put together a dominating game in the crease as she totaled 16 saves in 60 minutes and surpassed her previous single-game record of five saves. Martel outsaved Michigan goalie Maya Santa-Maria, 16-6 on the day.
"Alexa's performance today was exactly what we needed," Ward said. "Her stealing a couple from them was crucial. Today showed what she is truly capable of on a daily basis while being that backbone for us."
For the Chippewas, Whiteside scored two goals, one with 14 seconds left in the first quarter and the second coming with 4:46 left in the first half. Both goals were unassisted. The second Whiteside goal marked the start of a four-goal run for the Chippewas who held the Wolverines scoreless for the entire third quarter.
Diebold, Martinsen, Hoyt, and Dow each scored one goal apiece for the Chippewas. Martinsen collected two assists on goals by Hoyt and Dow. Four of the six Chippewa goals came from free position shots.
Next up, the Chippewas will travel to Maryland where they will take on Towson. The game is scheduled to start at noon on March 4.
Central Michigan battled back from deficits two different times. The Chippewas trailed 5-1 but scored four consecutive goals to tie the game at 5-5 late in the third quarter. Audrey Whiteside started the rally with an unassisted goal at the 4:46 mark of the second quarter and Maggie Diebold followed with an unassisted goal of her own as CMU cut the deficit down to 5-3 at halftime. Reagan Martinsen made it 5-4 on an unassisted goal at the 7:35 mark of the third quarter and Kelly Hoyt tied the game at 5-5 on a goal after receiving a pass from Sadie Hinkle.
After Michigan scored to take a 6-5 lead early in the fourth quarter, CMU answered again with a Celia Dow goal off an assist from Martinsen. That goal tied the game at 6-6 with 9:37 to play.
With the score deadlocked at 6-6, CMU stopped several Michigan scoring attempts, but Gooch scored her game-winner with 2:08 to play.
Central Michigan first-year Head Coach Emilia Ward was pleased with her team's execution.
"This was a full team effort," Ward said. "Our offense had really long possessions; whether we scored a goal or not, we gave the defense the rest they needed in that time. We were 8-8 in clears during the third quarter which gave us the real opportunity to possess the ball and get into our scoring zone."
"Today's performance shows the level in which we can compete at. The speed, the physicality, the execution on both ends of the ball shows that this is the expectation for us the rest of the season. Regardless of the opponent, this is how CMU Lacrosse plays."
Central Michigan's showing was highlighted by sophomore goalkeeper Alexa Martel's performance. Martel put together a dominating game in the crease as she totaled 16 saves in 60 minutes and surpassed her previous single-game record of five saves. Martel outsaved Michigan goalie Maya Santa-Maria, 16-6 on the day.
"Alexa's performance today was exactly what we needed," Ward said. "Her stealing a couple from them was crucial. Today showed what she is truly capable of on a daily basis while being that backbone for us."
For the Chippewas, Whiteside scored two goals, one with 14 seconds left in the first quarter and the second coming with 4:46 left in the first half. Both goals were unassisted. The second Whiteside goal marked the start of a four-goal run for the Chippewas who held the Wolverines scoreless for the entire third quarter.
Diebold, Martinsen, Hoyt, and Dow each scored one goal apiece for the Chippewas. Martinsen collected two assists on goals by Hoyt and Dow. Four of the six Chippewa goals came from free position shots.
Next up, the Chippewas will travel to Maryland where they will take on Towson. The game is scheduled to start at noon on March 4.
Team Stats
CMU
U-M
Shots
20
31
Turnovers
21
17
Caused Turnovers
7
17
Draw Controls
7
10
Free-Position Shots
6
7
Ground Balls
13
27
Game Leaders
Players
G
2
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
0
CT
0
G
1
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
3
CT
1
G
1
A
1
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
0
CT
0
G
1
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
1
CT
0
Players Mentioned
A
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