Led by sophomore attacker Kenzie Blackwell who had two goals and five assists, and junior attacker Paige Elliott with three goals and two assists, Colorado Mesa University women’s lacrosse team win in the first round of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament 18-7 over Westminster College. The win brings CMU total to 14 on the year which is a program record.
The Mavericks manufactured 14 assists on their 18 goals, showing their great chemistry and ball movement, which will be key in them making a run in the tournament.
The Mavericks came out firing in the first half with senior attacker Amanda Barton picking up the first goal of the game. The game was very close for the first 28 minutes of the half, keeping it within three goals, but the Westminster would fall behind in the last two minutes 9-5, after a three-goal run by CMU. The Griffins fought hard in the opening half winning 11 our of the 23 total ground balls, but they had 19 turnovers in the period as it would prove to be their demise.
Senior midfielder Olivia Hayden opened the scoring up just 24 seconds into the second half. This goal inspired a seven-goal run by the Mavericks breaking the door open to the semifinals in the RMAC Tournament. Hayden scored all three of her goals in the second half, with Blackwell and Elliott scoring two of the own. CMU controlled eight of the 12 draws, won eight groundballs and went 100 percent on clears in the half.
Lula Mitchell had eight saves with a .571 save percentage.
Marissa Leonardi and Mary Koch both had four points in the game tying for third in scoring for the Mavericks.
With a strong win the first game of the RMAC Tournament the Mavericks will look to keep it going against tournament host Lindenwood on Friday with a faceoff time of at 7p.m.
