Hot start gives Lacrosse dominating win over Butler
Sophomore midfielder Shannon Doyle (left) and freshman midfielder Hannah Potter (right) celebrate after a goal during the lacrosse game on Feb. 28 at the Soccer/Lacrosse Complex.
In its first home game of the season, Central Michigan lacrosse jumped out to a hot start on the way to a victory over Butler.
The Chippewas (2-2) defeated Butler (0-3) by a score of 19-9.
“I thought our team prepared well,” said CMU head coach Sara Tisdale. “When we are mentally engaged that is when we are playing at our best.”
Butler opened up the game with an early goal, but CMU went on to score four unanswered goals giving them a 4-1 lead.
Elizabeth Davide scored with just over 16 minutes to end the Chippewas run, but once again CMU went on to score another three unanswered goals extending their lead to 7-2.
After Butler’s third goal, Emma Hamilton scored two goals and Anna Schoonover added another giving Central Michigan a 10-3 lead.
The Chippewas and Bulldogs then exchanged late goals sending CMU to halftime with an 11-4 lead.
Butler began the second half by scoring two goals in the first seven minutes of play. It was the first time all game the Bulldogs scored consecutive goals.
After a long delay, Jocelyne Lemay scored her second goal of the game giving Central Michigan a 12-6 lead with just over 20 minutes remaining.
Butler responded to Lemay’s goal with a goal of their own but Schoonover scored again to give the Chippewas back the momentum.
CMU went on to score two more before Butler scored with just over 14 minutes remaining.
Central Michigan finished off the Bulldogs by scoring four of the last five goals.
“It came down to preparation of the players,” Tisdale said. “Knowing that they had to be compelled and not just committed.”
Lemay and Hamilton led the Chippewas with four goals each, while Natalie Karlen and freshman Hannah Potter each had a hattrick.
CMU returns to action on Friday traveling to Cincinnati to face the Bearcats.
