STAFF REPORTS
news@allwnynews.com
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Niagara Purple Eagles women’s lacrosse team wrapped up non-conference play on the road Tuesday night against the Michigan Wolverines, the third straight year the team has traveled to Ann Arbor. Rachel MacCheyne tied a season-high with five points and Alexandra Higgins had another standout game with five ground balls, three draw controls, and four caused turnovers, but Niagara was defeated 20-10 by Michigan.
Michigan opened the game with a 4-0 lead. Anna Schueler scored twice in the opening 3:36 for the Wolverines. Niagara held Michigan scoreless for the next 11 minutes, but Michigan doubled their lead midway through the period with another two goals scored 33 seconds apart. Late in the first period, the Purple Eagles drew within one with three consecutive goals. Out of a free-position opportunity, Mackenzie Molodetz fed Grace Hunt for Niagara’s first goal at the 11:51 mark. Goals from Caroline Crump and Alexis Morales brought Niagara within one with five minutes left until the half. Michigan would close the first period on a three-goal run, including two goals in the final 41 seconds, to go up 7-3 at halftime. Jess Angerman scored 20 seconds after halftime, but Rachel MacCheyne scored two of her four second-period goals in the next two minutes. The Wolverines would score five times in the next six minutes to take a 13-5 lead. The two teams traded goals as Michigan took a 15-7 lead midway through the second period, as Niagara changed to Aubrey DeVeau in goal after Andrea Francisco made eight saves in 45:02 in goal. MacCheyne struck twice more in the final 15 minutes of the game and Molodetz pushed her goal-scoring streak to four games with a free-position tally during a 5-3 Michigan run to close the game as the Wolverines took a 20-10 win on Tuesday night.
The Purple Eagles return to Niagara Field for Senior Day on Saturday against the Manhattan Jaspers. Niagara will look to move to 2-1 in MAAC play with opening draw against Manhattan set for 1 p.m.
