Who is going to step up on Sunday to keep the Army women’s lacrosse team moving forward in the NCAA tournament?
Geneva Milch Cesoni, a junior attacker, answered the challenge, taking who charge for the Black Knights and helped No. 13-ranked Army to its first ever victory in the tournament, a 20-8 victory over Fairfield Friday in the first round at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Milch Cesoni scored a career-high five goals, all in the first half, to help the Black Knights (15-4), take a commanding 12-4 halftime lead.
But No. 8-ranked Johns Hopkins (15-4), Army’s opponent in the second round, is a considerable upgrade from Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference champion Fairfield. Everyone associated with the Black Knights program is well aware that the Blue Jays, who finished third in the powerful Big 10 Conference, will keep a lot of pressure on Army’s dynamic duo of Brigid Duffy (74 goals and 31 assists this season) and Allison Reilly (50 goals and 74 assists).
Against Fairfield, Duffy also finished with five goals and added two assists, while Reilly added three goals and had seven assists.
Army coach Michelle Tumolo just wants a repeat performance of Friday’s game when they take the field on Sunday at noon against Johns Hopkins, which destroyed Albany 21-2 in the first round. She is also hopeful that other players, perhaps even Milch Cesoni again, will again step up to take the heat off of her senior playmakers and allow Army to open the game up a bit.
“Geneva was awesome,” said Tumolo. “She was finding seams in the zone and got herself open. Ally Reilly and Geneva had a great connection last night. We’re looking forward to seeing that more on Sunday.
“We won by controlling the tempo of the game, taking care of the ball, winning the draw and maximizing possessions.”
Tumolo emphasized that the Black Knights need to minimalize mistakes to have a shot at taking down Johns Hopkins.
“We need to be very smart with the ball on the offensive end,” Tumolo said. “We need to take care of their offensive threats on our defensive end and win the draw matchup. We must out hustle, out tough and play to the best of our ability. I like our matchup.”
As for being the first Army team in the 11-year history of the women’s program to win an NCAA tournament game, Tumolo said it was a goal of the team from training camp.
“This has been a goal of ours that we’re so excited to achieve,” Tumokofc added. “I’m proud of our team for the hard work they put in to get here. This team has continued to make history in the best of fashions.”
