GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Off to a 2-0 start to the 2022 season, Colorado Mesa women's lacrosse will enjoy a third straight home game inviting the McKendree Bearcats to Community Hospital Unity Field for a midweek matchup Wednesday (March 16) at 4 p.m.
A Look Back
Out to a hot start, the Mavericks claimed both games in their season opening weekend, outscoring both opponents by double digits.
In their home opener against Adams State, the Mavs jumped out to a 11-0 lead after the first quarter, continuing to add on in each period for the final 20-0 shutout.
Kiley Davis picked up right where she left off last season, leading the offensive efforts with four goals and two assists for six points.
Three others chipped in two goals apiece, two of which were freshmen,
Ali Bryant and
Molly Gilbert who made their Maverick debuts.
Another freshman notable was
Caroline Ohngemach who dished out a team leading four assists, adding a goal in the process for five points.
The weekend sweep was made complete two days later when the Mavs grounded the Skyhawks of Fort Lewis, 15-4. Holding their opponent scoreless in two of the four periods, the defense allowed just 11 shots on the day, eight falling on goal.
Regan Wentz was the leading scorer with four goals,
Ashton Whittle and
Taylor Jakeman each with three to aid in the efforts.
Caught in the Net
Conceding just four goals throughout the weekend, the Mavs racked up 35 goals with 16 different players finding the back of the net.
CMU took a total of 66 shots between the two games, placing 52 shots between the pipes. Averaging 33.0 shots per game thus far, they're sitting at a 78.8-shots on goal percentage
With a scoring offense of 17.50 they rank 11
th nationally, their shot percentage of 53.0 sitting in the no.10 spot in all of Division II.
Some Assistance Please
Another factor that played in to the team's offensive success, was the 10 different players who combined for 23 assists. With an average of 11.50 assists per game, they lead NCAA Division II in that statistic.
A true freshman,
Caroline Ohngemach has taken those assist matters into her own hands leading the team with five thus far.
Deadly Defense
Conceding just four goals in the opening weekend, opponents were held to just 12 shots total, getting eight shots on goal.
With 31 caused turnovers, they averaged 15.5 per game the third best output nationally. Maryville (Mo.) holds the top-spot in that category with 17.67 per game. The team grabbed 43 ground balls, leading the way was
Ali Bryant with seven.
Speaking of Defense
Causing five turnovers, while scooping up six ground balls Colorado Mesa's
Taylor Jakeman was named RMAC Defensive Player of the Week (Mar. 7) following her performance in the opening weekend.
In addition to her efforts in the back half of the field, she contributed to the offense netting four goals, assisting on two others for a six-point performance.
Scouting the Bearcats
Grand Junction is the third stop on the Bearcat's Colorado tour. Standing at 3-4 overall, they stopped in Denver on Tuesday (March 15) before making their way west. In their first stop in Durango, they claimed a 11-8 comeback over Fort Lewis.
The team's four losses all come against ranked opponents, #2 UIndy, #25 Davenport, and #10 Grand Valley State and most recently to #11 Regis.
Just seven games in, junior Kat Albrecht is at the forefront of the team's scoring with 32 goals. She has posted multiple goals in all but one game thus far, held to just a single goal against Regis. Sydney Tiemann is another key attacker, credited with four goals against the Rangers.
Clara Andrews has been the go-to in goal. With 45 saves she is 2-4 overall.
