March 5, 2013
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Fresh off its victory against then-No. 6/8 Virginia, the No. 7/9 Penn State women's lacrosse team will return to action Wednesday, March 6 when it hosts James Madison at Holuba Hall. Opening draw is set at 4 p.m.
Fans attending Wednesday evening's game can park in Orange F and C lots. Orange F is located next to Holuba Hall at the end of McKean Road, while Orange C can be found at the corner of McKean Road and Hastings Road.
The Nittany Lions (3-1), who earned their highest IWLCA ranking since being ranked sixth during the 2007 season, will enter the midweek matchup following their 15-14 upset victory against the then-sixth ranked Cavaliers. After trailing, 8-5, at halftime, Penn State opened the second stanza with six straight goals before holding on for the one-goal victory.
Sophomore midfielder Kelly Lechner (Silver Spring, Md.) was stellar for the Nittany Lions as she garnered WomensLax.com Player of the Week and ALC Offensive Player of the Week recognition. The Silver Spring, Md., native matched her career high with a pair of four-point games as Penn State went 2-0 against Duquesne and Virginia.
Classmate Maggie McCormick (Eldersburg, Md.) continues to lead the Nittany Lions in points (18) and assists (12), with her 12 helpers ranking ninth in the NCAA. On the defensive end, senior Katie Guy (Whitby, Ont.) is tied for 17th in the NCAA with 14 ground balls and is tied for 20th with nine caused turnovers.
James Madison's (3-0) 10th-ranked defense will be put to the test against a Nittany Lion unit that averages 15.00 goals per game. Anchoring the Dukes' defense is sophomore goalkeeper Schylar Healy, who ranks third in the country in save percentage (.563) and ninth in goals-against average (7.00). Senior Casey Ancarrow leads James Madison, which received votes in both the IWLCA and deBeer/Inside Lacrosse polls, with 12 goals and 13 points.
The Nittany Lions lead the all-time series, 17-9, but will look for their first win against James Madison since 2002. Nittany Lion assistant coach Amy Altig ('05) was a two-time All-CAA goalkeeper for James Madison and, during her senior season, ranked among the nation's top-20 goalkeepers in both goals-against average and save percentage.
Following their matchup against James Madison, Penn State will return to action Saturday, March 9 when it visits top-ranked Maryland. Opening draw is set at noon.