Thursday May 13th, 2021 10:00am
(Photo Courtesy: Dave Anderson)
We made it! After months of wondering whether the 2021 season would even happen, the powers that be figured it out. The student-athletes and coaches stayed as safe and healthy as possible under unprecedented circumstances (can we retire that phrase soon?). And now, we’ve arrived at May Madness.
Choosing the 29-team field involved some unprecedented (sorry) discussions. The Big Ten only played conference opponents. Some teams played 11 or 12 games while others got in 16 or more. And the bracket isn’t without controversy (Duke at No. 7? No Penn State?). But that’s all pundit-speak. Over the next three weekends, teams will settle scores between the lines. Here’s (half of) what to watch for this weekend.
Thursday May 13th, 2021 10:00am
(Photo Courtesy: Dave Anderson)
We made it! After months of wondering whether the 2021 season would even happen, the powers that be figured it out. The student-athletes and coaches stayed as safe and healthy as possible under unprecedented circumstances (can we retire that phrase soon?). And now, we’ve arrived at May Madness.
Choosing the 29-team field involved some unprecedented (sorry) discussions. The Big Ten only played conference opponents. Some teams played 11 or 12 games while others got in 16 or more. And the bracket isn’t without controversy (Duke at No. 7? No Penn State?). But that’s all pundit-speak. Over the next three weekends, teams will settle scores between the lines. Here’s (half of) what to watch for this weekend.
UMass women’s lacrosse appreciates opportunities NCAA Tournament presents
The UMass women s lacrosse team is charging into the NCAA Tournament as winners of 14 straight games. The Minutewomen will face Temple at 4 p.m. Friday in Chestnut Hill. UMASS ATHLETICS
Published: 5/13/2021 3:26:36 PM
Finals week just wrapped up, but now the real test awaits the UMass women’s lacrosse team.
The Minutewomen will face Temple at 4 p.m. Friday in the first round of the NCAA Division 1 Tournament in Chestnut Hill. The winner gets either host and No. 4 overall seed Boston College or Fairfield at 1 p.m. Sunday.
UMass is fresh off its first Atlantic 10 Championship since 2017, the last time the Minutewomen qualified for the NCAA Tournament. There are five players from that team still on the roster because they returned for a fifth year this season after the COVID-19 pandemic canceled last year Caitlyn Petro, Kaitlyn Cersei, Stephanie Croke, Lauren Hiller and Emma Dotsikas.
UMass women’s lacrosse bests St. Joe’s for first A-10 title since 2017
UMass’ Courtney Barrett and Amy Moreau celerbate the team capturing the Atlantic 10 women’s lacrosse championship Sunday at Garber Field in Amherst. CHRIS TUCCI/UMASS ATHLETICS
UMass senior Kaitlyn Cerasi finished with seven points and was named the most outstanding player of Sunday’s Atlantic 10 women’s lacrosse championship. The Minutewomen defeated St. Joseph’s 18-7 to capture their first conference title and NCAA Tournament berth since 2017. CHRIS TUCCI/UMASS ATHLETICS
The UMass women’s lacrosee team celebrated winning its first Atlantic 10 championship since 2017 on Sunday at Garber Field in Amherst. The Minutewomen defeated St. Joseph’s 18-7. CHRIS TUCCI/UMASS ATHLETICS
Sun May 2 2021 | Kenny DeJohn | College
PHOTO BY THOM KENDALL / UMASS ATHLETICS
The winning streak presses on.
UMass opened its season 1-2. It wasn’t time to push any panic buttons, but it did prompt a push of the reset button, as US Lacrosse Magazine contributor Ella Brockway wrote earlier this week.
The Minutewomen have since been a juggernaut, and they extended their winning streak to 14 games after the biggest game of the season on Sunday. Kaitlyn Cerasi registered four goals and three assists while Stephanie Croke, Kelly Marra and Olivia Muscella each scored three goals as No. 20 UMass topped Saint Joseph’s 18-7 to capture the Atlantic 10 tournament championship. Cerasi became the all-time program leader in assists with her third helper of the afternoon.