AMHERST – It wasn’t quite as crisp or dominant as many of the wins by the UMass women’s lacrosse team during the regular season, but it got the job done.
Saturday’s 12-5 win over Davidson capped another perfect conference season for the No. 16 Minutewomen (16-1, 9-0 Atlantic 10) and extended a host of streaks.
– UMass has won 22 straight home games, including nine since returning to Garber Field this season.
– The Minutewomen have won 45 straight Atlantic 10 regular-season games.
– UMass has won 11 straight games.
“There were times we were on fire and we had some really great plays and sometimes where we couldn’t seem to find a rhythm,” Minutewoman coach Angela McMahon said. “In tournament play where everyone’s season is on the line, it’s important that we sustain runs.”
The Wildcats scored the first goal 4 minutes, 11 seconds into the contest. But UMass scored the next five and led 5-2 at halftime.
The Minutewomen scored 41 seconds into the second half on Holly Turner’s second goal and quickly stretched their edge to 8-2 and looked poised to pull away.
But Davidson (8-8, 5-4 A-10) had one last run in it. Its three straight goals made it 8-5 with 17:01 left, and UMass looked briefly vulnerable before scoring four straight to seal the win.
“We wanted to come out really hard, but we got off to a slow start,” Turner said. “Toward the end we got it meshing.”
The Minutewomen will be the No. 1 seed at the Atlantic 10 tournament beginning Thursday in Pittsburgh. UMass has a bye in the first round of the six-team event and at 3:30 p.m. Friday will play the winner of a Thursday quarterfinal between No. 4-seeded Saint Joseph’s (7-2 A-10) and No. 5 Davidson,
The Minutewomen have won the league’s last seven tournament championships.
“Going into the postseason it’s going to be a lot more competitive,” said senior Erika Eipp, who had a goal and three assists. “We’re getting all of our mistakes out in the regular season. Hopefully in the postseason we’ll be a lot more crisp.”
McMahon said she is eager to attack the season’s next stage.
“It’s always an exciting time, postseason, with the different energy that comes with it,” McMahon said. “I’m really excited with the way out team has been playing. We’re looking forward to the trip to Pittsburgh.”
UMass lost sophomore attacker Bella O’Connor with 9:24 remaining in the game. She limped off the field with an apparent leg injury. The specifics of the injury have not yet been determined.
“Not good, but she’s a tough kid,” McMahon said. “Whatever it is, I’m sure she’ll rebound really well.”
O’Connor joins senior Nicole Troost, who has been out with an injury. Whether Troost, UMass’ leading goal scorer with 42 goals, can return this season is uncertain.
“We’re taking it day by day. I wouldn’t rule out anything,” McMahon said.
UMass honored seniors Eipp, Anne and Kate Farnham, Eileen McDonald, Amber Tobin, Troost and Rebekka Sverrisdottir after the game.
“They’re instrumental to our success over the past four years,” McMahon said. “More importantly they’re some of the best leaders we’ve ever had. They’ve had such positive attitudes and energy that’s helped us maintain such a positive culture.”
Matt Vautour can be reached at mvautour@gazettenet.com. Get UMass coverage delivered in your Facebook news feed at www.facebook.com/GazetteUMassCoverage.