Women's Lacrosse Rolls Past UMass Lowell 18-2 on Senior Day to Clinch America East Tournament Berth
BOX SCORE
ALBANY, N.Y. – University at Albany women's lacrosse (8-4, 4-0 AE) scored early and often on Saturday afternoon to sweep past UMass Lowell (1-14, 0-5 AE) 18-2 on senior day at the annual Spring Stomp. Five Great Danes totaled two points or more in the victory, securing a spot in the postseason for the 10th consecutive season.
Sarah Martin, Alie Jimerson, Kaylee Rickert and Emily Mizer stepped up to score unassisted to start the game. UAlbany's four-goal run came to an end at the 19:03 mark, but the Purple & Gold poured on another eight straight leading into the end of the half. John Battaglino's squad won five of six draw controls in the first 15 minutes, courtesy of Julie Cryderman, Christine Johnson and Rachel Heidenreich.
With the game at a 4-1 advantage for UAlbany, Rachel Bowles fired a free position shot home for her first tally of the day. Mizer followed up her effort with back-to-back scores. All three goals came within one minute of scooping up the draw control.
Tewaaraton nominee Bowles cashed in for three of the next four goals, one unassisted and two with assists to Sarah Martin and Amanda Obenshain. The graduate student sent the Great Danes into the locker room with an 11-1 lead.
At the break, UAlbany had out-shot the River Hawks 23-8, while holding UMass Lowell to a 9-for-13 clearing clip. Battaglino's squad also committed just four turnovers to UMass Lowell's 13. Bowles had already tallied four of her six goals.
Bowles quickly dominated the start of the second half, hitting the post on one occasion, but eventually converting on a free position shot at the 27:46 mark. UMass Lowell got one back, but two Jimerson goals in 1:30 continued the game pace with a running clock.
With a fast break opportunity off of a turnover on the draw, Bowles charged up field with numbers to find Jimerson. The sophomore faked left and scored behind the back for her third goal of the game and a 14-2 advantage.
The UAlbany defense excelled forcing the River Hawks into questionable positions on clear attempts in the second half. Dakotah Savitcheff and Johnson forced turnovers off Purple & Gold shots to finally put Savitcheff on the board from Martin with 16:38 on the clock.
With a fast tempo showing no signs of slowing down, Bowles and Katherine Sweeney scored their respective goals less than one minute after preceding draws. Casey Blakeney wrapped up scoring on her first career goal with just under eight minutes to play.
UAlbany forced UMass Lowell to be successful on just two of their eight clear attempts in the second half. The Great Danes finished the game with a mere eight turnovers and 16 caused turnovers.
Rachel Bowles topped all scorers with six goals and seven points. Alie Jimerson had a five-point performance on three goals and two assists. Emily Mizer scored a career-high three goals in the win. Christine Johnson recorded a career-best four caused turnovers.
Next up, UAlbany women's lacrosse visits Dartmouth (6-6, 2-3 Ivy League) on Monday at 3:00 p.m.
