The Massachusetts women’s lacrosse team defeated Columbia 20-9 on April 7, marking its seventh consecutive victory in the final nonconference game of the season. The Minutewomen led 10-6 at halftime and extended their advantage by outscoring Columbia 5-1 in the third quarter and 5-2 in the fourth.
This win improves UMass’ record to 11-2 for the season. The team has scored at least 17 goals in each of its last seven games, reaching or surpassing the 20-goal mark four times during that stretch. Their offensive output has raised their season average to 16.9 goals per game, which is second nationally behind North Carolina.
Katie Peterson tied her career high with four goals and eight points, while also recording a personal best of thirteen draw controls. Kassidy Morris contributed five goals and two assists, continuing her streak of at least six points per game for seven straight contests. Ava Connaughton added two goals and four assists, Norah Prizzi recorded three goals and three assists, and Dylan Lyons achieved her fourth consecutive hat trick.
Head coach Jana Drummond said, “We were talking about progressing from Saturday with the amount of turnovers and connections all over the field. I feel like today, we really showed up playing for each other on both ends of the field. Defense would get a stop and we’d push the fast break. We’d win the draw and push the ball, trust each other and trust the ball movement.” Drummond later added, “We found so much success today and played so much UMass Lacrosse. I’m really proud of them.”
Defensively, Marisa Gatz, Lil Hancock, and Sienna Diglio each caused two turnovers for UMass. Bayley Duffy made nine saves in goal for Massachusetts while Ava Kimche finished with six saves for Columbia.
UMass will travel to Eastern Michigan next Saturday for a Mid-American Conference matchup scheduled at noon.
