COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Sunday’s loss ended officially the careers of seven UMass seniors. Despite the lopsided final 18-3 score in their loss to Maryland, the group leaves behind a strong legacy.
The group won four Atlantic 10 regular season and tournament titles and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 32 years.
“I couldn’t be more proud of what they’ve done, in this season and in their career. They helped elevate our program to another level,” coach Angela McMahon said. “They were all impact players on the field, but what they did for the team as a whole as far as keeping everyone together. Their positivity, their work ethic. They were the absolute model players. I can’t thank them enough for everything they’ve done. They set the tone of our future.”
Only five of the graduates played in the game, as Nicole Troost and Rebekka Sverrisdotir didn’t see action. Troost had 42 goals and five assists in 12 games before missing the final nine with a wrist injury. Sverrisdotir, who was a standout for the women’s soccer team, had never played lacrosse before this season. She appeared in eight games this year but left the team to play professional soccer in Europe.
Erica Eipp, who shined at UMass after transferring from Louisville finished the season with a team best 97 points on 42 goals and 55 assists as a senior. She completed her career with 115 goals and 114 assists.
The game will be the last as teammates for twin defenders Anne and Kate Farnham, who have played together from youth teams until Sunday. Both were All-Atlantic 10 players this season.
“This year was unbelievable. It was great. Today wasn’t how we wanted it to end. As athletes we keep striving for that next level,” Farnham said. “I’m excited to see where UMass’ future is. It’s going to be a good one… a great one.”
UMass also loses a pair of local standouts. Longmeadow’s Eileen McDonald departs after lodging one of the biggest goals in program history, the double-overtime winner over Princeton in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Her high school rival, Amber Tobin of Minnechaug, was a key piece of UMass’ defense.
The departures will leave UMass with some sizable holes to fill. The goalie tandem of Sam Walters and Aileen Kelly are both back, but they’ll have all new starters on defense in from of them.
Callie Santos and Hannah Burnett figure to take leading roles on attack and could be joined by Bella O’Connor, who missed the postseason with injury and Ashley Faulhaber, who scored a second half goal for UMass.
Midfielder Hannah Murphy will be the team’s top returning player after notching 36 goals, 14 assists and 152 draw controls. Starters Abby Walker, Sarah Crowley and Allison Ryan also return making midfield a likely strength heading into next season.
McMahon challenged the returning players to make this season a step not the zenith for the program.
“It leaves us feeling hungry,” McMahon said. “You wish you played a little bit better. You wish you did a little bit more. I know as a coach and I think the younger players will be hungry to improve, get better and close the gap a little bit more. … Our younger players have to step up and continue the legacy that these guys are leaving.”
MARYLAND WOES – The game continued the Terrapins’ domination of UMass, as they’ve won all 11 meetings. This was the fourth time they’ve ended the Minutewomen’s season in the NCAA Tournament, including the second straight season.
The loss was UMass’ widest margin of defeat since falling to Northwestern 23-6 in 2009.
The Minutewomen fell to 10-11 all-time in NCAA Tournament play.
Matt Vautour can be reached at mvautour@gazettenet.com. Get UMass coverage delivered in your Facebook news feed at www.facebook.com/GazetteUMassCoverage