On Saturday, the Massachusetts women’s lacrosse team defeated Siena on the road, 16-7, and improved its record to 4-0, the program’s best start since former coach Pam Hixon’s squad opened with a 6-0 record in 1986.
The Minutewomen received key scoring contributions from unlikely sources Saturday, as the freshman led the way, accounting for 10 of UMass’ 16 goals.
Katie Ferris got her first start of the season and poured in five goals, the most by any Minutewoman in a single game this season. Her five-goal outburst was the final note of an impressive week for the freshman. On Wednesday, Ferris scored her first collegiate goal in her first game with 4.1 seconds remaining to help knock off No. 18 Boston University.
Sam Rush added three goals off the bench, upping her season total to five. Freshmen Courtney McGrath and Kelsey McGovern each chipped in goals as well.
Ali Houlis, Nina Sarcona, Danielle Pelletier, Jesse O’Donnell, Haley Smith and Lauren Terracciano wrapped up the scoring with a goal apiece, while Jackie Lyons played the role of facilitator, dishing out three assists.
Lyons’ three assists moved her into fourth all-time at UMass with 58 career assists.
Siena kicked off the scoring just two minutes into the game, taking an early 1-0 lead. From that point on, UMass completely dominated the first half, scoring nine unanswered goals. The Saints added a goal just before the half, making the score 9-2 going into the break.
The Minutewomen started the second half strong, scoring twice and extending their lead to nine goals. Siena didn’t back down and made a strong push to get back into the game, scoring five of the next seven goals and cutting the deficit to six. However, the rally was cut short when UMass responded with three insurance goals, two of them coming from Ferris.
Goalkeeper Katie Florence continued her strong start to the season, stopping eight shots. Florence was replaced in goal by Sarcona with three minutes left. Sarcona, who plays attack for the Minutewomen, did not allow any goals or stop any shots during her three minutes in the cage.
The Minutewomen outshot Siena, 53-19. At the half, UMass had already gotten off 32 shots, while the Saints had only managed six.
The shooting onslaught easily surpassed last season’s high in shots in a single game, which was 38 against Connecticut, UMass head coach Angela McMahon’s former team.
The Minutewomen dominated the game’s statistics across the board. They collected 24 groundballs to Siena’s 14. The Maroon and White turned the ball over 15 times, but also forced 18 turnovers, and easily won the battle of draw controls, 19-6.
Siena was led by Deidre McQuillan and Katie Maguire, who each had two goals for the winless Saints.
The Minutewomen will conclude their three-game road trip at New Hampshire Wednesday.
Jackson Alexander can be reached at [email protected].
