ASU women start 3-game home stand today

ALAMOSA—After six road games to begin the season, Adams State University returns home for three consecutive home games at the ASU Lacrosse Field.

The Grizzlies begin the home slate against Westminster College (Utah) on March 31st at 12 pm. An April 2nd game with Colorado Mesa University at 9am and an April 6th meeting with Johnson & Wales University (Colo.) at 2pm will follow.

The Grizzlies ventured to the Midwest last week for three RMAC games. In their first matchup Adams State was pitted against second-ranked Lindenwood University. Despite an 18-1 loss, the Grizzlies did keep it competitive early as Cera Cyester hit an unassisted goal with 19:35 remaining in the first half to make it a 2-1 game in favor of Lindenwood. That would be the highlight of the night as the Lions proceeded to go on a 16-0 run for the rest of the game to remain perfect on the year. Alyse Mims managed to collect four ground balls and posted 12 saves for Adams State.

On March 23rd, ASU fell 16-3 at Rockhurst University. The Hawks went into halftime up, 8-0, but Jessica Hammer provided the first goal after the break at the 29:12 mark in the second half. The goal served as Hammer's third of the season. Mireya Castro and Cera Cyester went on to add goals for ASU later in the half. Castro finished the game with two draw controls, two caused turnovers, and one goal. Jessica Hammer added seven draw controls, a goal, and a caused turnover.

The road trip ended in a narrow 7-6 defeat against Oklahoma Baptist University on March 25th. Oklahoma Baptist took a 2-1 halftime lead and grew it into a 5-1 lead early in the second period. The Grizzlies fought back with back-to-back goals from Castro and Jessica Hammer to make it a 5-3 game. Oklahoma Baptist answered with two goals of their own to then make it 7-3. However, ASU notched three more unanswered goals in a matter of eight minutes. Goals from Jessica Hammer and two from Castro cut the deficit to 7-6. Unfortunately ASU was unable to grab the equalizer to end the game with a slim 7-6 loss. Castro wrapped up the game with three goals off six shots with a caused turnover and a draw control. Jessica Hammer added two goals, two ground balls, and four draw controls. Mims finished with 14 saves. As a team, ASU forced 14 turnovers and collected 20 ground balls.

Westminster comes to Alamosa with a 4-2 overall record and a 2-1 mark in RMAC games. Before a 23-0 setback to No. 2 Lindenwood on March 18th, the Griffins won four in a row by an average margin of 12 goals per game. Their two RMAC wins came against UCCS (21-4) and Oklahoma Baptist (21-7). Kira Heiden and Katie Adams lead the way with 22 and 20 goals, respectively. Morgan Bakarich owns a team-best 17 assists. Taylor Hekking has started all six games in goal and has 39 saves and a save percentage of .476. The Griffins are led by head coach Niki Harding in her eighth season.

Colorado Mesa owns a 6-2 overall record and a 2-1 RMAC mark (at time of press release). The Mavericks are coming off a 2-0 road trip to Florida with wins over Saint Leo University (W, 10-8) and the University of Tampa (W, 10-9). The program is 3-2 at home but 3-0 on the road. Lindsi Peters and Jessica Cook are the top offensive threats with 22 and 20 goals, respectively. Jillian Pfeifer has 29 ground balls as Olivia Hayden has 27 draw controls. Pfeifer has netted 57 saves on the season with a save percentage of .483. Abigail Wiley is in her sixth season as head coach.

Johnson & Wales stands at 0-6 overall (at time of press release). Their April 6th meeting with Adams State will be the first-ever between the two foes. The Wildcats are led by Kyra Gangemi who has a team-leading 11 goals. Hanna Jo Eady and Madison Herbert spilt time at goalie. Herbert leads the way with 37 saves and a save percentage of 46.3 while Eady owns 16 saves and a save percentage of 36.4. Together the duo combine for a 17.75 goals allowed average. The program is under the direction of second year head coach Cristina Johnson. Johnson & Wales is a NAIA institution competing in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC). The Wildcats are in their second season as a lacrosse program.

Cutline: New ASU Women's Lacrosse Head Coach Angelica Gero addresses her team earlier this season. She and her team will be in action three times over the next seven days, with all the games being at home at the ASU Lacrosse Field.