Women's Collegiate Lacrosse Associates

By Leland Loxbury

   BEVERLY HILLS - Rachael Banas (Lake Forest High, Lake Forest, Ill.) had a coming out party for the Spartans in Michigan State's WCLL women's lacrosse opener at Detroit County Day High School Friday night. Banas scored six goals, while adding seven assists against Central Michigan in a 24-3 win. But it was the surprising stingy defense and balanced offense that pushed MSU to their first season opener win in eight years.

   "Rachael obviously had a great night and her performance should continue with the talent she has displayed so far, but this win comes down to defending more than scoring. I thought our defense was outstanding tonight, which is certainly a switch from some previous years," said Greg Normand, MSU's head coach. "I am just really proud of the way the defense played and Coach Hiner should be really proud of all the work he and the defensive have accomplished. I know its one game, but its really encouraging."

   The Spartans had balanced scoring against the Chips with Helen Young's 10 points on five goals and five assists, while Erica DiClemente (Detroit Country Day) adding five goals and two assists. Mackenzie Meyer (The Pennington School) and Haley Schmucker (The Academy of the New Church, Bryn Athyn, Penn.) added three goals apiece. Megan Lilly (Marietta High School, Marietta, Georgia) and Alex Walus (Brighton High School) each scored a goal.

​   "When our scoring sheet is balanced and we share the ball, we're a hard offense to stop because you can stop one or two players, but you can't stop seven," Normand said. "I just hope our offensive players see it the same way I do."

   Defensively, freshman Olivia Akerly (East Lansing), starting her first game as a freshman, turned back seven shots on 14 attempts and only gave up three goals to earn the win. 

   "For the first game, I thought she did remarkably well. We had to improve our goaltending this year if we wanted to move forward and I think we have a bit," said Brent Hiner, the MSU defensive coordinator.

   Hiner, who praised his entire defense for their gritty play Friday night, said the consistent play of Lauren Pacholski (Libertyville High School, Libertyville, Ill.), Liz Frey (Caledonia High School) and Ellie Schramm (Olentangy High School, Olentangy, Ohio) led the defense, which had to improve this year if the Spartans were going to mount any kind of national ranking push.

​   "Listen, its only one game, but I really think our defensive attitude is different this year," Hiner said. "But like anything else, time will tell."

   The win moves MSU to a 1-0 record with a date Saturday night in Brighton at The Legacy against arch rival Ohio State. The Spartans travel to Santa Barbara next weekend for the annual Santa Barbara Shootout at UC Santa Barbara. MSU will tangle with Oregon, Arizona State, USC, Boise State and Western Washington.