Saturday, May 6
Moon Township, Pa.
3 p.m.
Central Michigan University
11-8, 7-1MAC
15
vs
12
Robert Morris
9-9, 6-2MAC
1
2
3
4
F
Central Michigan
3
6
4
2
15
Robert Morris
1
3
4
4
12
Photo by: David Hague
Lacrosse Wins MAC Championship
5/6/2023 8:01:00 PM | Lacrosse
Lacrosse claims back-to-back Mid-American Conference Tournament Championships with 15-12 victory over Robert Morris.
MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – The Central Michigan Women's Lacrosse team captured its second consecutive Mid-American Conference Tournament Saturday afternoon as the Chippewas defeated host Robert Morris 15-12 at Joe Walton Stadium. This marks the first victory against Robert Morris on its own field in CMU program history.
The Chippewas entered the tournament as the No. 3 seed, and Robert Morris entered as the No. 1. When Central Michigan defeated Kent State in the semifinals on Thursday, that was the first ever upset in tournament history. The championship victory marks the first time in tournament history that a seed other than the No. 1 has come out victorious. As the No. 1 seed, the Chippewas won the inaugural MAC Tournament in Mount Pleasant last year.
Here is how the victory unfolded:
Robert Morris scored the game's first goal but would never lead again. Audrey Whiteside answered the Colonial goal and started the scoring for the Chippewas. Skye Deprado scored a goal of her own and Sandy Edwards scooted one in for a 3-1 CMU lead to end the first quarter.
Starting the second quarter, Deprado added her second of the game along with Whiteside's second. Makenna Huhn found the back of the net as well and the Chippewas took a commanding 7-1 lead. RMU scored to make the lead 7-2, but Deprado brought it right back to a six-goal advantage with her third goal at the 7:02 mark. Two goals by the Colonials, then a Sadie Hinkle score concluded the half at 9-4 Chippewas.
Known for being a second half team, Robert Morris started the third quarter with two goals at the 11:46 and 8:37 marks, but the Chippewas answered with two goals, coming from none other than Whiteside, and Kendall Hoyt. Reagan Martinsen then scored to end the Chippewa the third quarter. The score with 15 minutes to play: 13-8, Chippewas.
The fourth quarter was pedal down for the Chippewas as Whiteside started the scoring, once again. Kelly Hoyt got in on the action at the 9:52 mark to make it a seven goal, 15-8 Chippewa lead: the final goal for the Chippewas in the game. Robert Morris then went on a four-goal run to end the game but fell short at the final of 15-12.
Central Michigan stormed the field, and celebrated its back-to-back Mid-American Conference Championship wins, this time at the helm of a new coach.
Big Time Contributors
Alexa Martel, the sophomore goalkeeper for CMU was named tournament Most Valuable Player as she recorded 12 saves in the win, her 11th double-digit save game of the season.,
"I think our team goes with her Alexa," Central Michigan Head Coach Emilia Ward said. "She is a quiet leader, but she is confident in the cage, knows what she wants, and I think when she is on, our defense is so confident. The growth in her mental game this season, specifically in her resiliency, is something to note. She bounced back from some games that she thought were subpar against her standards against the two teams we faced in this tournament. Coming back against those two opponents that she felt she left something with, and then left nothing in the tournament speaks volumes to her ability as a player. There is no doubt in my mind that when she plays her game, she is the best goalie in the conference, hands down, and I think one of the best goalies in the country."
Skye Deprado, playing in front of her Pittsburgh hometown crowd, scored a total of eight goals in the tournament, and had scored 10 in the rest of the season combined.
"Having Skye contribute like she has was huge, especially with the players we have lost in the past few weeks," Ward said. "We needed somebody to come in and she has. Skye battled her own things throughout the season, but we had seen glimpses of this before the seasons started, and getting her back, there is no doubt she is one of the best players in the conference."
Kelly Hoyt commanded the draw circle again for the Chippewas racking up seven of CMU's 14 draw controls.
"Our whole draw unit has been something we have really focused on, especially since Brennan Paddy has come on staff with us, she has really worked with that group," Ward said. "Getting them confident with themselves and what our standard is as far as success and communication has been huge. Both Kelly and Hanna Wenger, really study their craft, they take the time to do the little things right and ensure success for their team."
Coach Ward's Emotions on the Win:
"The adversity that we have faced this season, at times, made it seem like this would be difficult and more of a challenge than we originally thought." In the past week, Central Michigan had lost to Kent State and Morris. Both teams they would move on to defeat in their path to tournament champions. "In the past week, we maybe felt like there was some doubt, but then the team would show up to practice, and we would say "okay! I guess we are firing on all cylinders today." It is easy as a coach to coach a group who really wants to win, wants to make adjustments, and put that time in. That makes it really great for us knowing we can give them adjustments and they will make them. The biggest thing I was excited for when I took this position was stepping into a job where I was expected to do my job and get us wins. At times, that was very stressful this year, but nothing feels better than when your team shows up for you. We just put the plan on paper, the team executes it; and they did it perfectly this weekend."
The Chippewas entered the tournament as the No. 3 seed, and Robert Morris entered as the No. 1. When Central Michigan defeated Kent State in the semifinals on Thursday, that was the first ever upset in tournament history. The championship victory marks the first time in tournament history that a seed other than the No. 1 has come out victorious. As the No. 1 seed, the Chippewas won the inaugural MAC Tournament in Mount Pleasant last year.
Here is how the victory unfolded:
Robert Morris scored the game's first goal but would never lead again. Audrey Whiteside answered the Colonial goal and started the scoring for the Chippewas. Skye Deprado scored a goal of her own and Sandy Edwards scooted one in for a 3-1 CMU lead to end the first quarter.
Starting the second quarter, Deprado added her second of the game along with Whiteside's second. Makenna Huhn found the back of the net as well and the Chippewas took a commanding 7-1 lead. RMU scored to make the lead 7-2, but Deprado brought it right back to a six-goal advantage with her third goal at the 7:02 mark. Two goals by the Colonials, then a Sadie Hinkle score concluded the half at 9-4 Chippewas.
Known for being a second half team, Robert Morris started the third quarter with two goals at the 11:46 and 8:37 marks, but the Chippewas answered with two goals, coming from none other than Whiteside, and Kendall Hoyt. Reagan Martinsen then scored to end the Chippewa the third quarter. The score with 15 minutes to play: 13-8, Chippewas.
The fourth quarter was pedal down for the Chippewas as Whiteside started the scoring, once again. Kelly Hoyt got in on the action at the 9:52 mark to make it a seven goal, 15-8 Chippewa lead: the final goal for the Chippewas in the game. Robert Morris then went on a four-goal run to end the game but fell short at the final of 15-12.
Central Michigan stormed the field, and celebrated its back-to-back Mid-American Conference Championship wins, this time at the helm of a new coach.
Big Time Contributors
Alexa Martel, the sophomore goalkeeper for CMU was named tournament Most Valuable Player as she recorded 12 saves in the win, her 11th double-digit save game of the season.,
"I think our team goes with her Alexa," Central Michigan Head Coach Emilia Ward said. "She is a quiet leader, but she is confident in the cage, knows what she wants, and I think when she is on, our defense is so confident. The growth in her mental game this season, specifically in her resiliency, is something to note. She bounced back from some games that she thought were subpar against her standards against the two teams we faced in this tournament. Coming back against those two opponents that she felt she left something with, and then left nothing in the tournament speaks volumes to her ability as a player. There is no doubt in my mind that when she plays her game, she is the best goalie in the conference, hands down, and I think one of the best goalies in the country."
Skye Deprado, playing in front of her Pittsburgh hometown crowd, scored a total of eight goals in the tournament, and had scored 10 in the rest of the season combined.
"Having Skye contribute like she has was huge, especially with the players we have lost in the past few weeks," Ward said. "We needed somebody to come in and she has. Skye battled her own things throughout the season, but we had seen glimpses of this before the seasons started, and getting her back, there is no doubt she is one of the best players in the conference."
Kelly Hoyt commanded the draw circle again for the Chippewas racking up seven of CMU's 14 draw controls.
"Our whole draw unit has been something we have really focused on, especially since Brennan Paddy has come on staff with us, she has really worked with that group," Ward said. "Getting them confident with themselves and what our standard is as far as success and communication has been huge. Both Kelly and Hanna Wenger, really study their craft, they take the time to do the little things right and ensure success for their team."
Coach Ward's Emotions on the Win:
"The adversity that we have faced this season, at times, made it seem like this would be difficult and more of a challenge than we originally thought." In the past week, Central Michigan had lost to Kent State and Morris. Both teams they would move on to defeat in their path to tournament champions. "In the past week, we maybe felt like there was some doubt, but then the team would show up to practice, and we would say "okay! I guess we are firing on all cylinders today." It is easy as a coach to coach a group who really wants to win, wants to make adjustments, and put that time in. That makes it really great for us knowing we can give them adjustments and they will make them. The biggest thing I was excited for when I took this position was stepping into a job where I was expected to do my job and get us wins. At times, that was very stressful this year, but nothing feels better than when your team shows up for you. We just put the plan on paper, the team executes it; and they did it perfectly this weekend."
Team Stats
CMU
RMU
Shots
31
36
Turnovers
9
14
Caused Turnovers
4
6
Draw Controls
14
17
Free-Position Shots
6
6
Ground Balls
19
16
Game Leaders
Players
G
4
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
1
CT
1
G
3
A
1
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
4
CT
2
G
2
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
1
CT
0
G
2
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
0
CT
0
Players Mentioned
A
/ Lacrosse
M
/ Lacrosse
A
/ Lacrosse
A
/ Lacrosse
M
/ LacrosseM
/ Lacrosse
G
/ LacrosseA
/ Lacrosse
M
/ Lacrosse
M
/ LacrosseM
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