MOUNT PLEASANT, MI – The RMU women's lacrosse team defeated Detroit Mercy, 14-10 to become two-time MAC Champions.
With the win, the Colonials advance to the NCAA Women's Lacrosse Tournament first round game which is scheduled for Friday, May 10.
1st HALF
The Colonials came into championship Saturday ready to score as they tallied three out of the first four goals courtesy of
Chelsea Coleman,
Isabella Teal, and
Samantha Brothers. RMU, however was held scoreless in the final nine minutes but maintained a one goal lead heading into the second quarter.
Both teams exchanged goals in the second quarter as it was a back and forth battle for the entirety of the frame.
Colleen Tifft scored her first goal of the game at the 12:41 mark while Coleman netted her second goal of the contest to put the Colonials up by two. RMU ended up finishing the first half with a one goal lead over the Titans.
2ND HALF
The third quarter was a physical frame as there was a game-high six penalty cards issued. RMU played tough defense in the third by only allowing Detroit Mercy to have three shots on goal and limiting them to two goals.
Lilli Hadden scored her first goal of the game at the 9:03 mark off an incredibly athletic play by jumping and shooting the ball at the same time.
Samantha Brothers and Tifft added to the RMU scoring as they went to the fourth quarter with a two-goal lead.
RMU started the fourth quarter with a different kind of energy as they scored three straight goals to extend the lead to five. Detroit Mercy bounced back momentarily with two goals but the Colonials couldn't stop scoring as they added three more goals before final the buzzer. RMU had a game-high eight shots on goal in the fourth quarter and only committed one turnover.
SELECTION SUNDAY
The Colonials will know their future opponent tomorrow night during the NCAA Women's Lacrosse Selection Show which starts at 9 p.m. on ESPN2. The NCAA Tournament consists of 29 teams with all first-round games beginning on Friday, May 10. There will be 15 conference champions in the tournament with the rest of the spots being filled by at-large bids. The top three teams in the bracket will receive a bye and won't play until the second round.
BOBBY MO CHAMPIONSHIP FACTS
This is the first championship title for the Colonials since 2021 when they won the MAC outright following the regular season. Courtney Grove and Emma Simmers guided RMU to a championship victory in just their first season at the helm of the team.
Chelsea Coleman received MAC Tournament MVP honors after compiling two goals, two assists, two caused turnovers, and one ground ball.
Julia Koterwas,
Colleen Tifft,
Sydney Riker,
Mackenzie Bell, and Coleman were recognized on the MAC All-Tournament Team after their performance on Saturday.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Isabella Teal and
Colleen Tifft had a team-high three goals against the Titans while Tifft led RMU with eight shots on goal as well.
Julia Koterwas,
Chelsea Coleman, and
Samantha Brothers each tallied two goals with Coleman adding two assists.
Eliana LaMange and
Lilli Hadden found the back of the net once with LaMange having a team-high three assists on the day.
Sydney Riker had 11 saves in the game and came up clutch in the fourth quarter with a team-high five saves to secure the win.
UP NEXT
The Colonials will play in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday, May 10. Opponent and time are to be determined and will be finalized tomorrow night at 9 p.m. during the selection show.
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