Mercer Falls to Michigan in NCAA Tournament, 18-8
By Mercer Athletics
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Caroline Glus scored three goals to lead Mercer offensively, but the Mercer women's lacrosse team fell to No. 7 Michigan, 18-8 in the NCAA Tournament First Round from Ann Arbor, Michigan Friday evening.
Mercer finishes the season 13-7 overall, with a fifth consecutive Big South regular season and tournament championship. Friday was Mercer's eighth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.
A goal from
Sofia D'Angelo brought Mercer within three goals with the score 9-6, Michigan with just under eight minutes to play in the third quarter. However, the Wolverines were able to not let the Bears continue to close the gap for the remainder of the game.
Michigan outshot Mercer, 39-24 and won the draw control battle, 19-7. Michigan scored on three of its six free position shots, and the Bears went 0-for-4 on 8-meter shots.
After her three goals against the Wolverines, Glus finishes her career as one of the best offensive players in program history. This season she finished with career highs in goals (68), assists (13) and points (81). In the record books, Glus is near the top of a few statistical categories. Her 195 goals are second in program history and her 230 points are third most in program history.
Abby Vane and
Sofia D'Angelo each had two goals in the game as well for the Bears. Defensively,
Zoe Alper and
Mackenzie Ward each had two caused turnovers. Ward made a career high 13 saves in goal for the Bears.
HOW IT HAPPENED
In the first quarter,
Ansley Walters found D'Angelo in front of the goal who turned and shot low for the first goal of the game as Mercer led 1-0 just over two minutes into the game.
Michigan responded with five unanswered goals to take a 5-1 lead after the first quarter. Vane and Glus each scored within the first five minutes of the second quarter to bring Mercer within two goals at 5-3.
Glus scored her second of the game with just over three minutes to play in the first half to make it, 6-4 Michigan. The Wolverines were able to score three goals over those final three minutes to take a 9-4 lead into halftime.
Mercer's defense played well to start the second half, holding Michigan scoreless for nearly the first 10 minutes of the third quarter. While Mercer's defense was holding strong,
Abbi Rupnow and D'Angelo each scored a goal to bring Mercer within three goals as Michigan now had just a 9-6 lead with under eight minutes to play in the third quarter.
Just like the second quarter, Michigan closed the third quarter strong, going on a 4-0 run, helped by three Mercer penalties that accounted for three man-up goals for the Wolverines. Michigan then led, 13-6 after three quarters.
In the fourth quarter, Vane scored her second goal of the game and Glus completed her hat trick, but Mercer's season came to a close to No. 7 Michigan, 18-8.
NOTABLES
- Mercer made its eighth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.
- It was the second all-time meeting against Michigan. The other in the 2024 NCAA Tournament first round.
- Caroline Glus led Mercer with three goals and finished her season with career highs in goals (68), assists (13) and points (81).
- Mackenzie Ward finished with a career high 13 saves.
- Zoe Alper and Mackenzie Ward each led Mercer with two caused turnovers.