The UConn lacrosse team extended their win steak to five games, matching the team record, as they beat the Marist Red Foxes 16-8 on Wednesday.
The Huskies went down 0-2 in the opening five minutes, but tied the score 3-3 by the middle of the 1st half. The score stayed tight through the start of the 2nd half as the teams traded three-goal runs, then single goals, for a 7-7 tie. Physical play by both teams on ground balls and checks stood out for the duration of the game.
At five minutes into the 2nd half, the Huskies took the lead, and control, for the rest of the game. Sophomore attack Kiersten Tupper got an assist from senior captain Ashley Mitchelides and put the ball in the cage.
Sophomore defense Stephanie Norton followed that score with a tremendous play, forcing a turnover near midfield, securing the ball and driving to the cage for the 2nd of nine UConn goals in the half.
Sophomore attack M.E. Lapham, current Big East offensive player of the week, was impressive against the Red Foxes. She found net four times and added two assists for a game-high six points. She also grabbed a ground ball and forced two turnovers on the day.
Huskies coach Angela McMahon praised Lapham and junior defense Jessica Mucci for their play on draw controls. UConn won 15 draws, with Mucci and Lapham each getting four, to Marist’s 11. Mucci also had 4 ground balls and forced a turnover.
“They were putting us in a position to score on the other end,” McMahon said.
Junior midfield Jillian Cerar scored a hat trick for the Huskies and Mitchelides, Tupper and junior captain Lauren Sparks each found the net twice. In all, seven Huskies scored and five had assists.
Teamwork and patience helped the Huskies win the game. They looked comfortable and focused working the ball around the cage and didn’t force many plays. The defense found their groove in the 2nd half as they communicated more and worked together.
The Red Foxes’ early success appeared to come from their speed and a play that drew Husky defenders from the goal, giving Marist a decongested area to pass from behind the cage and shoot. Mucci said Marist focused on running on the crease.
“[We] shut them down,” Moulton said.
The Huskies held Marist to only two goals and five shots in the 2nd half.
The team was excited for both the win and the continuation of their streak. Mucci said having five straight victories was “fantastic” and “above and beyond.”
McMahon named a few major factors in the Huskies’ record-tying win streak: playing together, confidence and draw controls. UConn has won every game this season when they control more draws than their opponent.
“Confidence has been huge for us,” McMahon said.
“Now that we know how it feels to win, it’s different when we step on the field,” Moulton said, echoing her coach’s statement about team confidence.
The win against Marist was the first in team history and payback for a one-goal loss to the Red Foxes last season.
The Huskies travel to Fairfield to take on the 2-3 Sacred Heart Pioneers at 1 p.m. on Saturday as they close out their spring break schedule. Pioneer seniors Carissa Hauser and Chelsea Wagner were named the Northeast Conference’s players of the week on Tuesday.
1 comments