The winning streak presses on.
UMass opened its season 1-2. It wasn’t time to push any panic buttons, but it did prompt a push of the reset button, as US Lacrosse Magazine contributor Ella Brockway wrote earlier this week.
The Minutewomen have since been a juggernaut, and they extended their winning streak to 14 games after the biggest game of the season on Sunday. Kaitlyn Cerasi registered four goals and three assists while Stephanie Croke, Kelly Marra and Olivia Muscella each scored three goals as No. 20 UMass topped Saint Joseph’s 18-7 to capture the Atlantic 10 tournament championship. Cerasi became the all-time program leader in assists with her third helper of the afternoon.
It is the 11th A-10 crown in program history and the first since 2017 for UMass.
The A-10 champs reside in Amherst.@UMassLacrosse beats Saint Joseph’s 18-7 to capture the crown. pic.twitter.com/yLSZezInOT
— US Lacrosse Magazine (@USLacrosseMag) May 2, 2021
Now guaranteed an NCAA tournament berth, UMass can continue building on its impressive streak of victories.
UMass was in total control. The Minutewomen outshot Saint Joe’s 38-16 and controlled 25 of 27 draws. Caitlyn Petro controlled 16 draws, setting the program’s single-season program record and inching closer to the NCAA Division I single-season mark of 224 set by Hailey Wagner of Marist in 2019. Petro is four away from tying that mark.
And with that last draw control win, Caitlyn Petro is the new Massachusetts single-season record holder!#Flagship pic.twitter.com/liYcgQIyS6
— UMass W. Lacrosse (@UMassLacrosse) May 2, 2021
Ranked second in the nation in goals per game behind Northwestern, UMass presents an interesting matchup for NCAA tournament teams. An offense with more options than defenses can account for means UMass has the potential to be a Cinderella team as May presses on.
The NCAA Selection Show is Sunday, May 9, at 9 p.m. Eastern on ESPNU.