Chippewas Lacrosse Clinches MAC Tournament Berth With Decisive Victory

Central Michigan dominates Kent State, setting up win-and-in regular season finale against Akron

Apr. 18, 2026 at 8:06pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a lacrosse game, with players' figures broken down into overlapping geometric shapes in the team's colors, conveying the dynamic action and energy of the match.Central Michigan's decisive victory over Kent State showcases the team's well-rounded talent and sets up a win-and-in regular season finale for a MAC tournament berth.Kent Today

Central Michigan Lacrosse secured a spot in the upcoming Mid-American Conference tournament with a decisive 15-9 victory over Kent State on Saturday. Led by standout performances across the board, the Chippewas gained sole possession of the fourth and final tournament spot with one regular season game remaining.

Why it matters

This crucial win puts Central Michigan in a win-and-in scenario for the MAC tournament, a significant achievement as the team looks to extend its season and compete for a conference championship. The Chippewas' strong all-around play demonstrated their ability to rise to the occasion in a high-stakes matchup.

The details

Ava Regitz set the tone with a career-high 14 draw controls, Anna Farrar tallied five goals, and Leila Kahler made 14 saves in the victory. Central Michigan's dominance at the midfield (20-6 advantage) and Farrar's early hat trick set the stage for the Chippewas' decisive win. After a 5-5 first quarter, Kahler's 13 saves and just two goals allowed in the final three quarters sealed the result.

  • Central Michigan will host second-place Akron next Saturday, April 25 at Noon ET for the regular season finale.
  • The Mid-American Conference tournament is scheduled to begin following the conclusion of the regular season.

The players

Ava Regitz

A junior midfielder from Marietta, Georgia who set a career-high with 14 draw controls, the fourth-most in program history.

Anna Farrar

A sophomore attacker from Milton, Georgia who scored five goals, including a hat trick in the first five minutes, to lead the Chippewas' offense.

Leila Kahler

A sophomore goalkeeper from Spring Lake, Michigan who recorded 14 saves and a .609 save percentage to anchor the defense.

Caye Kalbacher

A junior attacker from Austin, Texas who netted a hat trick for Central Michigan.

Mia Bradley

A freshman attacker from Orchard Park, New York who also scored a hat trick, becoming the first Chippewa to eclipse 30 points this season.

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What they’re saying

“We knew this was a must-win game to secure our spot in the MAC tournament, and the team really stepped up across the board to get the job done.”

— Leila Kahler, Goalkeeper

What’s next

Central Michigan will host second-place Akron next Saturday, April 25 at Noon ET for the regular season finale, with the winner clinching a berth in the Mid-American Conference tournament.

The takeaway

Central Michigan's dominant all-around performance, led by standout individual efforts, showcased the team's ability to rise to the occasion and secure a crucial victory that puts them in position to reach the MAC tournament. The Chippewas' balanced attack and stifling defense demonstrated their readiness to compete for a conference championship.