The University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutewomen lacrosse team is gearing up for a crucial final home stretch, facing off against UMass Lowell on Tuesday, April 22, at 3 p.m. at Graber Field. With a legacy of success and a drive to maintain their winning streak, the Minutewomen are poised for intense competition. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

The Matchup: Minutewomen vs.River Hawks

Tuesday’s game marks the seventh meeting between UMass Amherst and UMass Lowell. The Minutewomen hold a commanding 6-0 record against the River Hawks.Last season, Massachusetts secured an “18-9 victory over the Riverhawks” in lowell, demonstrating their historical dominance in the series. The team also boasts a remarkable streak of 54 consecutive Atlantic 10 (A-10) regular-season victories.

Their last A-10 regular season loss was “17-16 in overtime to VCU on Sunday, April 22, 2018, at Cary Street Field.” This undefeated run highlights the program’s sustained excellence within the conference.

recent Triumph: Clinching the A-10 Championship Share

The Minutewomen recently secured “at least a share of the Atlantic 10 Regular Season Championship” with a “20-13 win over St. Bonaventure on Saturday, April 19, at the Marra Athletics Field Complex.” This victory marks their “14th consecutive A-10 Regular season championship” and their “16th straight season with either a regular season or tournament title.” The team’s ability to consistently perform at a high level has solidified their position as a powerhouse in the A-10 conference.

After facing “a one-goal deficit after the first quarter”, the team demonstrated resilience. They “utilized a 5-0 scoring run over four minutes of action to claim an 11-6 advantage” and continued “tallying six goals unanswered to begin the fourth quarter, securing a 20-11 lead.”

Key Players Shine

Several Minutewomen players delivered outstanding performances in the recent game against St. Bonaventure:

• Kassidy Morris: Morris “delivered a career-best performance for Massachusetts in attack, totaling a career-high eight goals on 13 total shots.” She is approaching a program record, as she “has now scored 61 goals on the season, putting her seven away from breaking the program record.”
• Tessa Shields: Shields “recorded her eighth hat trick of the season, scoring three goals while dishing out a pair of assists.”
• Delaney Rodriguez-Shaw: Rodriguez-Shaw “also tallied five points in the matchup, recording two goals and three assists.”
• Jordan Dean: Dean put together another dominant performance, “totaling a game-high 13 draw controls to go along with three caused turnovers and two ground balls.” she has recorded “double-digit draw controls in four straight games, totaling 153 on the season.”

Team Overview: Strengths and Leadership

The Massachusetts women’s lacrosse program entered “2025 off its 15th straight Atlantic 10 title.” This consistent success has established a high standard for the team. senior Jordan Dean, recognized as an “inside Lacrosse Division I Preseason First Team All-American,” brings critically important experience and skill to the field.

Dean set “the NCAA Division I single-season record for draw controls” in the 2024 season, “breaking the previous mark of 221 while finishing the season with 261.” She was named to the “Atlantic 10 First-Team All-Conference squad” after consistently delivering double-digit draw controls. Senior Kassidy Morris also earned “Atlantic 10 Preseason All-Conference” honors. Morris had a team-leading 63 goals last season and “posted hat tricks in 14 games and posted seven goals in back-to-back wins over VCU and UConn.” The Minutewomen’s roster features a mix of experience and new talent,with “23 players” returning from last season and “12 newcomers comprised of nine freshmen and three transfers.”

coaching Staff

Head Coach Jana Drummond is in her “third season at the helm of the Minutewomen,” holding “a career record of 40-11 (.78).” Drummond has led the team to the “Atlantic 10 Regular Season Championship in all three seasons,” coaching multiple major conference award winners. Her leadership has been instrumental in the team’s ongoing success.

The coaching staff also includes Assistant Coach Lia Laprise,who “enters her second season in Amherst,” and Assistant Avergy giorgio,who joins the team after coaching at Trinity College. Program alum Kendra Harbinger returns as “Director of Player development.”

Looking Ahead: Senior Day and Beyond

The Minutewomen will conclude their 2025 regular season by hosting “george Mason on saturday, April 26, at 12 p.m. for Senior Day.” The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

Counterargument: Over-Reliance on Key Players

Some analysts argue that the Minutewomen’s reliance on star players like Jordan Dean and Kassidy Morris could be a vulnerability. If these players are heavily marked or experience an off day, the team’s performance might suffer. However, Coach Drummond has emphasized the importance of developing a well-rounded team, stating that the success stems from a collective effort rather than individual brilliance. The emergence of players like Tessa Shields and Delaney Rodriguez-Shaw, who have consistently contributed to the team’s scoring efforts, supports this claim. Furthermore, the coaching staff’s focus on developing the younger players and integrating them into the team’s system demonstrates a proactive approach to ensuring long-term success.

FAQ: UMass Women’s Lacrosse