Feb. 17, 2009
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State women's lacrosse team will open the 2009 regular season on Wed., Feb. 18 when it hosts Lafayette (0-0, 0-0 Patriot League) in a 7 p.m. non-conference game at Holuba Hall. The match-up kicks off a four-game home stand, marking the first time in program history that the Nittany Lions will begin a season with four consecutive home contests.
Penn State saw its first live action last weekend when it scrimmaged Cornell in Holuba Hall. The Nittany Lions fell to the Big Red, 12-8, in a regulation game but claimed a 4-2 victory in an extra 20-minute period. Sophomore Jen Steadman (Sykesville, Md.) led PSU with three goals and one assist while senior co-captain Megan McGuire (Eldersburg, Md.) added one goal and two assists. Other regulation goals were scored by Erica Mihm (Annapolis, Md.), Kerry Shea (Baltimore, Md.), Jackie Eastman (Springfield, Pa.), and Laura Lesnick (Jarrettsville, Md.). Junior Stephanie Ellis (Bryn Mawr, Pa.) and freshman Dana Cahill (Towson, Md.) split time in goal during the regulation game with Ellis earning the start.
Lafayette is coming off a 2-15 2008 campaign, defeating only Villanova (13-12) and Central Connecticut State (19-8) late in the season. Gone to graduation is the Leopards' top offensive weapon, Maddy Booth, who accounted for a team-high 40 goals and 41 assists a year ago. Back to headline the 2009 Lafayette squad is senior co-captain Kristin Ruminski, its returning leader in points (36), goals (27), assists (9), shots (63), ground balls (40), draw controls (53), and caused turnovers (14). Goalkeeper Emily Bjork returns to front the defense after starting a16 of 17 games in 2008. Youth will be hallmark of the team, though, as its group of freshmen numbering 10 strong represents the largest class on the roster.
Penn State owns a 16-2-0 record in its all-time series with Lafayette. However, the in-state foes have not played since 2001, a 13-5 Nittany Lion victory in Easton.
The Nittany Lions remain at home next week when Bucknell visits University Park on Wed., Feb. 25 for a 6:30 p.m. game at Holuba Hall. Penn State holds a perfect 12-0-0 record all-time versus the Bison. Prior to last year, when the match-up was cancelled due to the weather, the Nittany Lions won each meeting in the three years previous by a combined score of 57-14.