Lacrosse heads to Florida in hopes of climbing conference standings
Despite a slow start in conference play, the Central Michigan lacrosse team still has a chance to make up ground this weekend in Florida.
The Chippewas will look to get back into the win column against Stetson on Friday, and then Jacksonville on Sunday.
CMU sits in ninth place in the Atlantic Sun Conference with its 1-3 conference record (4-7 overall). Head coach Sara Tisdale said the team needs to start picking up a few more wins to get into the eight-team conference tournament.
“I’d like to be in a little more of a safe spot,” Tisdale said. “We know we’ve got to get some wins here in the next couple of weeks, but it’s all in our hands.”
CMU trails seventh and eighth place Kennesaw State and Delaware State by just a half-game, respectively. The Chippewas previously defeated Kennesaw and hold the head-to-head tie breaker.
Sophomores Riley Huda and Jocelyne Lemay will lead the Chippewas into the weekend. The tandem has either scored or assisted on 73 of the team’s 125 goals.
Huda is second in the Atlantic Sun with 25 assists and fourth in points with 39. Lemay’s 30 goals has her ranked third in the conference.
A trio of freshmen have played a vital role complementing the star power of Huda and Lemay. Midfielders Shannon Doyle and Tyra Prince both have 23 points which ties them for third amongst the team.
The other freshman who has really came on as of late is attackman Emma Hamilton. Hamilton ranks fifth amongst Chippewas in points, including 10 goals in her last 3 games.
“Coming in and seeing all the older girls has really inspired me,” Hamilton said. “Working with Riley behind the cage has been great and I’m really excited for the future.”
Previewing Stetson
The Stetson Hatters currently sit fifth in the Atlantic Sun with a 2-1 record (2-8 Overall). Stetson ranks second in both goals per game and goals against average during Atlantic Sun play. Lindsay Summer stars for the Hatters leading the team with 29 points.
“Stetson is an opponent we got a win last year on, so I’m sure they’ll come back hungry,” Tisdale said. “That game will be very competitive I have no doubt about it.”
Previewing Jacksonville
The Jacksonville Dolphins are currently in a three-way tie for first place in the Atlantic Sun at 3-0 (6-4 overall). Averaging 20 goals per game and a 4.33 goals against average, Jacksonville leads the Atlantic Sun in scoring and goals against, respectively. The Dolphins’ Daniel Della Rocco leads the team with 33 points.
“With Jacksonville being one of the top teams in the conference, we are excited for the challenge,” Tisdale said. “If we play our best lacrosse, we know we’ll be right there with them.”
