Lacrosse sets program win record against Furman
There are still four games remaining for Central Michigan lacrosse, but the team has already set a program number for wins in a season.
The Chippewas (8-5, 3-0 SoCon) defeated Furman (4-9, 1-1 SoCon) by a score of 13-10 to win their eighth game of the season. Natalie Karlen led the team with four goals and five assists.
Winners of five of their last six games and undefeated in the Southern Conference, the Chippewas have set themselves up to be considered the favorite to win the conference regular season title.
“It was really big,” said head coach Sara Tisdale. “We needed to play a 60 minute game and we did. Now we’re in the driver’s seat and exactly where we want to be.”
Karlen and Hannah Potter each scored in the first six minutes of the game giving the Chippewas a 2-0 lead.
Just over a minute later, Furman made things interesting with a goal from Abby Shields, but Anna Schoonover answered right back to regain a two-goal lead for CMU.
The Paladins then completely shifted momentum scoring the next five goals, including a goal on a free position shot that went in with one second remaining in the half giving Furman a 6-3 lead at halftime.
“We had the ball, we had the chances, we we’re beating ourselves at that point,” Tisdale said. “You can’t have empty possession that will turn into goals for them.”
Coming out of the break, CMU scored three goals in the first five minutes of the second half to tie the game at six. Meg Lingo of Furman scored to give the Paladins the lead, but Karlen scored to even the game once again.
Over the next ten minutes of action, Abby Shields scored the only two goals — giving Furman a 9-7 lead.
With just over 10 minutes remaining in the game, Tyra Prince scored a goal that gave the Chippewas the spark they needed to get back into the game.
“The offense is playing as a seven-person unit at that point,” Tisdale said. “Proud of her for stepping up and putting the ball in the back of the net.”
About three minutes later Anna Schoonover scored to tie the game for the Chippewas, before Karlen scored twice more to give Central Michigan an 11-9 lead.
Lingo would once again score to make the Chippewas feel uneasy, but Jocelyne Lemay would later score to giving CMU some insurance before Shannon Doyle scored in the final minute to guarantee a win for Central Michigan.
The Chippewas return to action on Sunday at 10 a.m. facing Wofford in Spartanburg, S.C. for their fourth Southern Conference game of the season.
