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University of Massachusets Athletics
Thursday, March 19
Amherst, Mass.
1:00 p.m.
University of Massachusetts
22
vs
1
Central Michigan
Minutewomen Roll Past Central Michigan, 22-1
March 19, 2026 | Women's Lacrosse
AMHERST, Mass. – Kassidy Morris scored seven goals to pace 12 different goal scorers as the Massachusetts women's lacrosse team defeated Central Michigan 22-1 on Thursday afternoon in its first-ever MAC home game at Garber Field. Morris scored the game's first two goals, finishing with all seven of her goals in the game's first 33:36, as the Minutewomen wouldn't look back.
Meanwhile, the UMass defense allowed just one goal, its fewest allowed in a game since a 20-1 win at home vs. UAlbany on Mar. 20, 2003. The final 22-1 margin marked Massachusetts' largest margin of victory since beating George Mason 26-4 last Apr. 26.
Ava Connaughton added six points via two goals and four assists. Dylan Lyons had three points (two goals, one assist), as did Katie Peterson (two goals, one assist), Caitlyn Naughton (two goals, one assist) and Lil Hancock (one goal, two assists). Norah Prizzi also dished two assists. Morris is up to 207 career goals, just for four tying and five from breaking Katie Ferris' program record.
"I saw a lot of connections," said head coach Jana Drummond. "When you look at the goals that we were scoring throughout the game, it was very selfless – two passes and then the goal. You saw some hockey assists out there that aren't stated on the lacrosse side. I'm really proud of the connections and chemistry of the team."
Reigning MAC Defensive Player of the Week Bridget Valentine filled up the stat sheet with two groundballs, two caused turnovers and two draw controls. Cate Marshall collected 13 draws.
It was all Minutewomen early and often, with Morris scoring goals at the 12:14 and 10:29 marks for a quick 2-0 lead. By early in the second quarter, Morris scored her fourth to give UMass an 8-0 advantage.
The Minutewomen would score five more times before halftime, which included Naughton scoring twice in the span of 4:07. Morris ended the first half with consecutive goals (at 4:18 and 1:30), then opening the scoring in the third (at 11:24), marking her seventh of the game to make the score 14-0.
"We were just trusting the feeds," said Morris. "We were just working on trusting each other because we know that whoever we're passing to is going to catch it. We emphasize so much our chemistry and connection. Our attack is team-first and we're always looking for the feed if the dodge isn't there."
Central Michigan got on the board at 2:45 of the third quarter, but UMass answered with six consecutive goals for the 22-1 final.
"We're just very good at watching film, correcting our mistakes and going to the next game," said Heather Clark on the defense's effort. "A lot of energy and connectiveness. I think that showed all throughout today."
Final shots were 40-15 in favor of the Minutewomen while UMass held an 18-10 advantage in groundballs and 18-6 edge in draw controls. CMU had 15 turnovers compared to 11 for UMass.
Bayley Duffy made two saves in goal in the first half, with Aidan Summer tallying two in the second.
The Minutewomen return to action next Saturday when they travel to Robert Morris to face the Colonials at 12 p.m.
Meanwhile, the UMass defense allowed just one goal, its fewest allowed in a game since a 20-1 win at home vs. UAlbany on Mar. 20, 2003. The final 22-1 margin marked Massachusetts' largest margin of victory since beating George Mason 26-4 last Apr. 26.
Ava Connaughton added six points via two goals and four assists. Dylan Lyons had three points (two goals, one assist), as did Katie Peterson (two goals, one assist), Caitlyn Naughton (two goals, one assist) and Lil Hancock (one goal, two assists). Norah Prizzi also dished two assists. Morris is up to 207 career goals, just for four tying and five from breaking Katie Ferris' program record.
"I saw a lot of connections," said head coach Jana Drummond. "When you look at the goals that we were scoring throughout the game, it was very selfless – two passes and then the goal. You saw some hockey assists out there that aren't stated on the lacrosse side. I'm really proud of the connections and chemistry of the team."
Reigning MAC Defensive Player of the Week Bridget Valentine filled up the stat sheet with two groundballs, two caused turnovers and two draw controls. Cate Marshall collected 13 draws.
It was all Minutewomen early and often, with Morris scoring goals at the 12:14 and 10:29 marks for a quick 2-0 lead. By early in the second quarter, Morris scored her fourth to give UMass an 8-0 advantage.
The Minutewomen would score five more times before halftime, which included Naughton scoring twice in the span of 4:07. Morris ended the first half with consecutive goals (at 4:18 and 1:30), then opening the scoring in the third (at 11:24), marking her seventh of the game to make the score 14-0.
"We were just trusting the feeds," said Morris. "We were just working on trusting each other because we know that whoever we're passing to is going to catch it. We emphasize so much our chemistry and connection. Our attack is team-first and we're always looking for the feed if the dodge isn't there."
Central Michigan got on the board at 2:45 of the third quarter, but UMass answered with six consecutive goals for the 22-1 final.
"We're just very good at watching film, correcting our mistakes and going to the next game," said Heather Clark on the defense's effort. "A lot of energy and connectiveness. I think that showed all throughout today."
Final shots were 40-15 in favor of the Minutewomen while UMass held an 18-10 advantage in groundballs and 18-6 edge in draw controls. CMU had 15 turnovers compared to 11 for UMass.
Bayley Duffy made two saves in goal in the first half, with Aidan Summer tallying two in the second.
The Minutewomen return to action next Saturday when they travel to Robert Morris to face the Colonials at 12 p.m.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Lacrosse
A
/ Women's Lacrosse
GK
/ Women's Lacrosse
M
/ Women's Lacrosse
A
/ Women's Lacrosse
M
/ Women's Lacrosse
A
/ Women's Lacrosse
A
/ Women's Lacrosse
A
/ Women's Lacrosse
M
/ Women's Lacrosse
GK
/ Women's Lacrosse
D
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