Women’s lacrosse knocked out of A-10 Championship semifinal by 1-seeded UMass

The University of Richmond women’s lacrosse team pushed past St. Bonaventure University in the first round of the Atlantic 10 Championship, but fell 16-11 to the University of Massachusetts Amherst in the semifinal on Friday, May 2.  

A major obstacle sat before the Spiders. The Minutewomen boasted a perfect 9-0 conference record, including a 19-10 win over Richmond on April 5. UMass had no plans of breaking its 12 game win streak. If the Spiders had any hope of reaching the final, they would have to be ready for a battle. 

Richmond kept the score gap close in the first quarter, sophomore goalkeeper Francioli saving three shots while UMass recorded zero. The two teams swapped turnovers and fouls before the Minutewomen found the back of the goal twice, taking an early lead. After a media timeout, the Spiders gathered their strength, netting a goal of their own. 

Both sides struggled with fouls and turnovers before the Spiders picked a yellow card that gave the Minutewomen a man-up opportunity. Taking advantage, UMass immediately scored a goal. Richmond strived to keep up, picking up one more goal before the buzzer, bringing the score to 3-2. 

The second quarter was condemning for the Spiders as the Minutewomen fired shot after shot. The Spiders crumbled in the opening minutes, picking up two turnovers and a foul while UMass recorded a 3-0 run. The physicality of the game continued as two UMass fouls gave Richmond a free position opportunity, which it scored. 

Immediately after, the Spiders tallied a foul and a green card that offered the Minutewomen the same opportunity, but UMass failed to take it. Swapping 2-0 runs, both teams pushed for domination. The Minutewomen claimed the last goal of the half for a 9-5 lead. Finishing the quarter, both sides picked up yellow cards. 

UMass opened the second second half with a shot clock violation, a turnover, four fouls and a green card. All the action gave the Spiders a free position goal, graduate attacker Whitney Liebler finding the back of the net. 

The Minutewomen continued to face troubles, only picking up a foul and a turnover while Richmond had four shots. UMass snapped out of the lull, pushing past the Spiders with a 3-0 run. Richmond snagged the final goal of the quarter, but a 12-7 score gap would be hard to overcome. 

Opening the final quarter, UMass immediately carded a foul. Richmond yet again scored a successful free position shot, edging the score gap closer. The Minutewomen then went on a 3-0 run while the Spiders picked up five fouls, two green cards and a yellow card within three minutes. 

Attempting a comeback, a free position shot sparked a 3-0 run for Richmond. UMass stapped the streak in the final minute of the game, as the Spiders picked up their fifth yellow card and four more fouls, ending any hopes of a title. 

Junior attacker Alexis Morton and senior midfielder Grace Muldoon led the team with four points. For the second year in a row, Muldoon was named A-10 Midfielder of the Year earlier in the week. Francioli picked up 10 saves. 

The Spiders end the season with an 11-8 overall record and a 7-3 conference record. 

Contact sports editor Abigail Finney at abigail.finney@richmond.edu