(Ann Arbor, MI) Last Sunday the women's lacrosse program completed their regular season with a perfect 6-0 record in conference, earning them the top seed in the WHAC Conference Tournament. This is just the second trip to the WHAC Tournament for the Cardinals as they earned the #3 seed in 2019 before falling to Cleary 17-16. This season the Cardinals were unbeaten in conference play, winning the regular season and earning a first-round bye. Now the Cards are set to host #4 Siena Heights on Thursday at 2:00 PM in a rematch between the nationally ranked teams.
Game Information
#1 Concordia vs. #4 Siena Heights
Cardinal Stadium | Ann Arbor, MI
Thursday, April 22nd, 2:00 PM
Tickets
The WHAC Tournament is a ticketed event with no pass list. Tickets (for ages 5+) may be purchased here.
About the Saints
In Siena Heights' previous WHAC Tournament appearance in 2019, the Saints fell in the semifinals to the top seeded Indiana Tech Warriors. They will look to not repeat that fate in 2021 as they prepare for a rematch of their most closely contested game of the season.
Siena opened their season with a pair of games against teams receiving recognition within the NAIA in current #2 Cumberlands and (RV) Marian. The Saints defeated the Knights from Marian but lost to Cumberlands to open the season at .500. In WHAC play, Siena only fell to Concordia, but did not play third seeded Lawrence Tech due to COVID protocols. Siena has received national recognition this year, being ranked 9th in the NAIA Top-10 poll through the second half of their season. After earning the fourth seed in the WHAC Tournament, Siena Heights defeated Indiana Tech 16-6 to advance to the semifinals for the third tournament in a row.
Marissa Cirino has led the Saints offensively, being named WHAC Player of the Week four times throughout the season. Her 40 goal season has been supported by Jenna Sommerville and Emily Pringle with 27 and 20 goal campaigns respectively. Elizabeth Elliott has spent the bulk of the Saints' games between the pipes. Alexa Matta is now in her second season at the helm for Siena.
Previous Matchup
March 23rd, CUAA 15 - SHU 14
The then ninth ranked Cardinals entered 1-0 on the year while Siena Heights came in 2-1 and receiving votes in the national poll. CUAA overcame an early 10-3 deficit with 9 unanswered goals to take the lead in the 2nd half. Alyssa Lundy's 5th goal of the match with 1:23 remaining clinched a 15-14 victory in the rivalry game.
Alyssa Lundy led the Cardinals with 5 goals in the game. Cassandra Allard added 4 goals in the contest. Jennifer Miller had a team-high 8 draw controls and 4 ground balls. Amanda Archer recorded a total of 4 saves between the pipes for Concordia.
WHAC Tournament
First Round - April 20
#1 Concordia (6-0, 7-1), bye
#4 Siena Heights (4-1, 6-2) def. #5 Indiana Tech (4-3, 5-5), 16-6
#3 Lawrence Tech (4-1, 5-3) def. #6 Bethel (2-5, 6-9), 20-6
#2 Aquinas (5-2, 6-3), bye
Semifinals - April 22
#4 Siena Heights at #1 Concordia, 2 p.m.
#3 Lawrence Tech at #2 Aquinas, 6 p.m.
Championship - April, 24
Team Stats
|
CUAA |
SHU |
Games |
8 |
8 |
Goals |
145 |
132 |
Assists |
54 |
45 |
Goals-per game |
18.13 |
16.5 |
Shots |
307 |
228 |
Shots-per game |
38.38 |
28.5 |
Shooting percentage |
47.2 |
57.9 |
Shots on goal |
240 |
191 |
Shots on goal percentage |
78.2 |
83.8 |
Free position goals-shots |
39-78 |
37-65 |
Free position percentage |
50 |
56.9 |
Ground balls |
178 |
185 |
Draw controls |
132 |
125 |
Draw controls per game |
16.5 |
15.63 |
Turnovers |
135 |
154 |
Caused turnovers |
124 |
59 |
Clears |
106-129 |
96-119 |
Goals against |
67 |
74 |
Goals-against average |
8.4 |
9.28 |
Saves |
35 |
73 |
Save percentage |
34.3 |
49.7 |