UMass women's lacrosse wins again; men host Drexel in rematch of Colonial Athletic Association championship game.
Tennis has never been one of the sports in the spotlight at American International College, but the youthful 2013 men’s team may be serving notice of a brighter future.
With their 5-4 victory over Franklin Pierce Friday, the Yellow Jackets clinched a berth in the Northeast-10 Championship Tournament for the first time since the current format was adopted in 2000.
Freshman Thijis and Kenzo Kauffmann were 9-7 winners at first doubles, and freshman Cass Schwab took first singles at 6-2, 6-0 as the Yellow Jackets improved to 6-4, 4-4.
It's the most wins for AIC men’s tennis since at least 1988, the last year records are available.
NE-10 tournament play is slated to open next week.
ELMS: In women’s lacrosse, sophomore attack Nora McDonough of South Hadley scored four of her game-high five goals in the second half of a 10-8 victory over Mass. Maritime Academy Thursday at Buzzard’s Bay.
Freshman attack Ashley Cava of Wilbraham scored three goals with sophomore attack Lauren Mazza of Agawam, and senior attack Chelsey Grabowski of South Hadley contributing a goal apiece.
Prior to the softball team hosting a doubleheader with Southern Vermont Saturday at 1 p.m., the alumni come back to play at 11 a.m.
UMASS: Katie Ferris scored six goals to lead the women’s lacrosse team to a 12-10 victory over Temple Friday at McGuirk Stadium.
It was the ninth consecutive win for the Minutewomen (12-2), who remain unbeaten in the Atlantic 10 at 4-0. They next play at Saint Joseph’s Sunday.
The men’s lacrosse team (5-8), losers of six of their last eight, return home after four consecutive road games to face No. 17 Drexel Saturday at 1 p.m. The Minutemen will be looking for their first Colonial Athletic Association victory after losing their first three (Penn State, 7-5; Saint Joseph’s 7-6; Towson 9-5).
Drexel (8-3) had a four-game winning streak snapped last week in a 13-6 defeat at No. 13 Penn State.
UMass and Drexel last met in the 2012 CAA Championship game May 5 with the Minutemen winning 18-12 before 3,204 at Garber Field.
The Dragons hold a 19-11 advantage over opponents in man-up goals.
The field hockey released team its 2013 schedule Friday, and UMass will be the site of the Atlantic 10 Tournament Nov. 8-9. The conference winner will host an NCAA Tournament play-in game Nov. 12.
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND: The lacrosse teams host a Commonwealth Coast Conference doubleheader Saturday against the University of New England with the women (8-4, 3-1) playing at 1 p.m., and the men (6-5, 4-0) at 4 p.m.