UMass women’s lax out for No. 9
When it comes to UMass women’s lacrosse, the other Atlantic 10 conference schools have adopted a new logo: A white flag of surrender.
By posting its seventh consecutive perfect season in A-10 play, top-seeded UMass (14-3, 9-0) extended its NCAA record conference win streak to 54. The Minutewomen begin a quest for a ninth straight A-10 title today at 1 p.m. vs. fifth-seeded Davidson (8-9) in Philadelphia.
Last season, UMass, which has not lost an A-10 game since 2010, reached the NCAA Elite Eight for the first time since 1984. UMass will host the NCAA Div.1 Women’s Lacrosse Championship at Gillette Stadium, May 26 and 28.
“I think it’s mostly on us,” coach Angela McMahon said about the winning formula and the heavy pressure that goes with it. “You have to focus on the little details. It comes down to turnovers, winning draws, 5050 balls, all those things that are the difference in winning and losing. It’s what are you doing in the middle of the game to create possessions. It comes down to who has the most offensive possession that is probably going to win the game.”
McMahon said her team’s streak doesn’t just happen overnight and that it requires developing a winning process. This season, McMahon (coach of year), senior Sarah Crowley (top defender) and senior cocaptain Hannah Murphy (top midfielder) of Duxbury were recognized by the A-10.
“The players and the assistant coaches. They do all the work,” McMahon said, deflecting credit. “We try to recruit players with a lot of potential and room for growth. We focus on player development and players with good work ethics. You have blue-collar players who just want to get better and better. Players like (defender) Allison (Ryan) and Hannah have just blossomed.
“We look for athleticism and speed. Those are at the top of the list. If you have skill you can probably pick up the game pretty quickly. But we have had the most luck with multi-sport athletes because it helps you in lacrosse, which is a combination of so many different aspects of other sports. Plus, you need an understanding of the game.’’
Senior co-captains Ryan, of Norwood, and Murphy said the coaches have fostered a winning culture that has been handed down from class to class.
“I would say at UMass that it’s the culture and belief that we all have for the program and for each other. It’s the type of girls on the team who are recruited because of the work ethic that they have. It’s pretty unbelievable,” said Ryan, a marketing major. “As for the streak, I definitely think that we have a bull’s eye on our backs but, at the same time, I believe that it is a blessing because, in the back of our minds, the target that you have on you just makes you want to go out and really work that much harder.”
Murphy, a communications major, concurred.
“I think the focus is always on us and not worrying about the other guys. We use that constant pressure as a positive,” Murphy said. “I think we’ve done a good job with that. This is my fourth year and it’s all so special. We take a lot of pride in how we got here and the players who came before us and that’s what keeps us going.”
UMass closed the regular season with a 25-12 thumping of host Duquesne as Murphy posted a game-high five goals. Her 16 draw wins were two shy of a career best and represented the second-best singlegame total in program history. Murphy’s 481 career wins on draws place her fifth all-time in NCAA history.
The offense is paced by juniors Holly Turner (35 goals, 39 assists, 74 points) and Hannah Burnett (54-12-66).
“I think (her climb up the record book) is more of a social media thing where some of my coaches and teammates keep me updated, but I just try to block all that stuff out because it doesn’t really help me. I have awesome teammates and coaches and we work really hard together and have great teamwork. I feel that if you work hard, good things will come,” Murphy said.