WLax Travels to Bryant for NEC Tournament
The Central Connecticut women's lacrosse team will play the top seeded Bryant Bulldogs on Friday afternoon.
The Central Connecticut women's lacrosse team will play the Bryant Bulldogs on Friday afternoon in the opening game of the 2014 Northeast Conference Tournament. The #4 seed Blue Devils (7-9, 4-3 NEC) will face the #1 seed Bulldogs at 4 p.m. at the Bryant Turf Complex.
Below are some notes on the Blue Devils heading into their second NEC Tournament:
History • The CCSU women's lacrosse program is in its 15th season, but the program's success has come mostly in the last five seasons.
Years Wins NEC Wins
2000-14 (15 yrs) 60 30
2000-09 (10 yrs) 25 11
2010-14 (5 yrs) 35 19
Postseason Berths • CCSU has qualified for the last two NEC Tournaments after not reaching the postseason in any of the program's first 13 seasons.
In the Middle • The midfield duo of senior Amanda Toke and sophomore Falynn McCartney have accounted for 71 goals this season or 45.5% of CCSU's 156 goals.
Toke and McCartney have also accounted for 90 of the team's 211 points this season and 104 of the Blue Devils' 178 draw controls.
Both players are putting together historic seasons that will rank high on many of CCSU's single-season record boards.
100+ Career Points • Two members of the Blue Devil squad enter today's action with over 100 career points, seniors Meaghan McCurry and Amanda Toke. Toke currently sits in a tie for 8th in program history with 108 career points. Her first point today will break a tie with former Blue Devil Abby Hayes. McCurry is currently third all-time with 157 career points and is one of just four players to eclipse the 150-point mark. Both players can also move up some other career lists with strong performances today.
Close Games • The Blue Devils are no strangers to close games - particularly in their NEC victories this season - CCSU's four NEC wins came by a total of five goals. The Blue Devils beat Mount 8-7, Saint Francis U 11-10, Sacred Heart 11-9 and LIU 15-14.
The Blue Devils also had a 12-10 victory over Siena in non-conference play and dropped a wild double overtime contest with Robert Morris 9-8. All told, CCSU has posted a 5-1 record in games decided by two or fewer goals this season.
NEC Trip #2 • This is the second NEC Tournament appearance for the Blue Devils, but their opponent will be the same, as CCSU and Bryant also met in last year's NEC semifinals.
NEC Wins • Over the last three seasons, the Blue Devils have won 16 NEC contests, the first 12 seasons of Blue Devil lacrosse produced just 14 NEC victories.
In Goal • Junior Morgan Tullar has started 34 consecutive games in goal for the Blue Devils. After appearing just twice as a freshman, she claimed the starting job and has been in goal ever since. In fact Tullar has played all but 13 minutes and 20 seconds in goal over the last two seasons.
Tournament Experience • CCSU entered the NEC Tournament last season with no postseason experience. This year the squad has 13 players who were a part of NEC's last year, including eight that played in the game.
Coming Home • Sophomore Falynn McCartney is the only Blue Devil from the state of Rhode Island.
Seniors • The senior class of Cierra Ward, Meaghan McCurry, Claire Healy, Amanda Toke and Ashley Olhausen has been a part of 30 wins over the last four seasons, the most successful four-year period in program history.
