University of Massachusets Athletics

Friday, April 12
Philadelphia, Pa.
2 PM

University of Massachusetts

12-3, 7-0 A-10

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at
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La Salle

5-9, 3-4 A-10

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2
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UMASS
9
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La Salle
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Stephanie Croke

Women's Lax Wins Seventh Straight, 14-13, at La Salle

April 12, 2019 | Women's Lacrosse

Stephanie Croke, Kiley Anderson combine for nine goals in hard fought victory.

PHILADELPHIA - A three-goal run in the final seven minutes of play along with a draw control win with 1:15 remaining proved the difference makers as the UMass women's lacrosse team edged out La Salle 14-13 for the Minutewomen's seventh straight win on Friday afternoon at McCarthy Stadium.

A fiesty La Salle (5-9, 3-4 A-10) squad overcame a early five-goal deficit to tie the Minutewomen, 11-11, with 8:27 left in regulation. A three-goal run by UMass' top goal scorers gave the Minutewomen enough cushion to hold off the Explorers down the stretch, while a draw control win by Olivia Muscella allowed the visitors to run out the final 75 seconds of play.

UMass (12-3, 7-0 A-10) was led by five goals from Stephanie Croke and a four-goal, one-assist day by Kiley Anderson. Hannah Palau was credited with a pair of goals, while Cassidy Doster notched a goal alongside three assists. Keeper Lauren Hiller made nine saves in net. 

For Croke, the effort continued her hot scoring streak over the last three games where the Norwell, Mass., native has posted 14 goals and three assists.

The Explorers saw Mikki Raymond, Allison Hunter and Bridget Ruskey all tally hat tricks in the game. Molly Loughlin took the loss in cage making 16 saves.

After La Salle scored the opening goal of the game just 90 seconds into play, the Minutewomen rattled off six consecutive goals, including three from Croke, to go up 6-1 at the 20:14 mark.

The teams traded goals after that stretch before La Salle scored three straight to close out the final 2:54 of the first half cutting UMass' lead to 9-8 at the intermission.

The start of the second half saw the teams keep trading goals until Ruskey and Raymond tallied back-to-back markers tying the contest at 11-11 with 8:27 to go.

The Minutewomen responded with a goal from Anderson nearly two minutes later followed by scores from Croke and Kaitlyn Cerasi pushing the lead to 14-11.

The Explorers put together one more stretch of back-to-back goals when Ruskey scored at the 2:11 mark followed by an Isabel Caddick goal with 1:15 to go.

UMass won the ensuing draw control with Muscella gaining possession allowing the Minutewomen to run out the rest of the clock to hold on for the win.

Overall, UMass held a 35-to-30 shot advantage but Loughlin's play in cage kept the Explorers close the entire contest.

The Minutewomen return home on Sunday afternoon (1 PM) to host Atlantic 10 rival Richmond at Garber Field. Admission is free to all and the game will be streamed live on ESPN+. A win for UMass would secure the No. 1 seed in the 2019 Atlantic 10 Championship Tournament.

For complete coverage of the UMass women's lacrosse program, follow the Minutewomen on Twitter (@UMassLacrosse), Instagram (@UMassWLacrosse) and Facebook (@UMassWLacrosse) as well as online at www.UMassAthletics.com.
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