The Central Michigan lacrosse team made a strong second-half surge, but it wasn't enough on Thursday as the Chippewas dropped a 13-7 nonconference decision to Coastal Carolina at the CMU Lacrosse/Soccer Complex. CMU is 6-9, while Costal Carolina improved to 11-4. HOW IT HAPPENED The Chanticleers built a 10-2 halftime lead, but the Chippewas scored five of the first six goals of the second half to draw to 11-7. Coastal Carolina's Haley Alexander scored at the 2:31 mark to end the Chippewa surge and CMU's hopes of the improbable comeback. CMU put 22 shots on goal to the Chanticleers' 20 and finished with a 28-24 edge in shots. "We saw an awesome defensive effort in the second half, which should have happened from the very beginning (of the game)," CMU coach Sara Tisdale said. "The big switch (from the first half to the second half) was trusting ourselves, and taking some chances. We weren't reactive, we anticipated a lot more. From the offensive point, we got the looks we wanted, we just have to finish." "Defensively, we need to get in their hands a little more. We weren't getting into their hands, which affects any feed or any shot. Sticking to the game plan and remembering those small things really made a big difference." LEADERS Natalie Karlen and Jocelyne Lemay scored two goals each to lead the Chippewas, while Tyra Prince, Courtney Burke and Emma Hamilton also scored. Dominique Hamman played the entire game in goal for CMU and registered seven saves. SPECIAL TRIBUTE Priot to the game, CMU held a ceremony to honor the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, and presented a wooden box to hold the wooden lacrosse sticks that were gifted to the CMU lacrosse program when the university began its program in 2016. In attendance at the ceremony were CMU President Robert. O. Davies and Zyzelewski Family Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics Michael Alford. "We know how special it is for us as lacrosse to have the relationship we have with the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe," Tisdale said. "We feel very special that they adopted us as the program where they're choosing to represent small elements that are important to their culture, whether it be the traditional sticks or the stick box. "Our players understand that the relationship is important. I think you saw Costal Carolina respect that too, and really appreciate the traditions that we establish step by step. "Today was just another great reminder of how unique this relationship is, and how treasured it needs to be. We'll value that stick box. Those sticks are very integrated into our program. Our captains bring them out at the captain ceremony, and there is always a discussion between our team and the opponent about the sticks. It's a great way for us to also spread some of those traditions and our basic knowledge of the teaching. We're grateful for it and we know how unique it is to have that relationship with the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe." NEXT CMU will be back at the CMU Lacrosse/Soccer Complex on Saturday, April 20 (11 a.m.), against Kent State in a nonconference matchup.