Central Michigan Wraps Up Second Straight MAC Title

For the second straight season — but the first under head coach Emilia Ward — Central Michigan is the champion of the MAC.

The third-seeded Chippewas only trailed against top-seeded Robert Morris after the game’s first goal. CMU ripped off the next seven scores, taking control in an eventual 15-12 win that secured the conference’s automatic qualifier to the NCAA tournament.

CENTRAL MICHIGAN PUNCHES ITS TICKET @CMU_Lacrosse downs @RMUWLacrosse 15-12 in Pittsburgh to win the @MACSports championship. pic.twitter.com/HHmJj85xZP

— USA Lacrosse Magazine (@USALacrosseMag) May 6, 2023

Skye Deprado led Central Michigan (11-8) with four goals, and Audrey Whiteside contributed three goals, one assist and four ground balls. Kelly Hoyt controlled seven draws, and Alexa Martel made 12 saves.

Central Michigan lost to Robert Morris (9-9) in overtime just last Saturday, but the Chippewas weren’t about to let the Colonials best them a second time. They led 9-4 at halftime and 15-8 after Amanda Hilderbrandt finished a Hoyt feed with 9:52 left in the contest.

Robert Morris didn’t go quietly, though, scoring the final four goals of the game. It just wasn’t enough to overcome the lead built by CMU in the first quarter.

Colleen Tifft and Chelsea Coleman each had a hat trick for Robert Morris.