April 9, 2013
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The seventh-ranked Penn State women's lacrosse team will open its season-high three-game homestand Wednesday, April 10 when the Lehigh Mountain Hawks visit Happy Valley. Opening draw at Penn State Lacrosse Field is set at 7 p.m.
Penn State (7-4, 2-1 ALC) will look for its 22nd straight victory against Lehigh (3-10, 1-4 Patriot League) and its first 5-0 home start since the 1991 season. Following Wednesday night's matchup, Penn State will host conference rival Ohio State Sunday, April 14 at 1 p.m. before concluding the homestand against Lafayette April 17.
The Nittany Lions will enter Wednesday night looking to rebound from an 11-3 setback against then-No. 3/4 Northwestern that snapped the squad's three-game win streak. During the season, Penn State has utilized a balanced attack as the team has received contributions from one 40-point scorer, one 30-point performer and two 20-point players.
Sophomore Maggie McCormick (Eldersburg, Md./26g, 20a), who is three markers away from tying her career high, and junior Mackenzie Cyr (Westminster, Md./22g, 14a) are the only Nittany Lions with double-digit goals and assists. A Westminster, Md., native, Cyr is one assist away from entering the top 10 on Penn State's all-time list.
Freshman midfielder Jenna Mosketti (Fallston, Md./20gb, 20dc, 13ct) and senior defender Katie Guy (Whitby, Ont./29gb, 19dc, 20ct) are the team's only student-athletes with at least 10 ground balls, draw controls and caused turnovers. In net, freshman goalkeeper Emi Smith (Denver, Colo.) has compiled an unblemished 4-0 record at home.
Lehigh, which will enter Wednesday on a four-game losing streak, boasts four student-athletes with at least 10 points. Senior midfielder Julie McBrien paces the Mountain Hawks with 30 goals, 33 points and 21 draw controls, while sophomore defender Kelly Scott has recorded a team-high 22 ground balls and 17 caused turnovers. Junior goalkeeper Alexandra Fitzpatrick ranks 12th in the NCAA in saves per game (8.62).
The Mountain Hawks have played one ALC foe this season, falling to Florida, 18-2, in Gainesville. Lehigh also faced Bucknell, which Penn State opened the season against, and defeated the Bison by a 14-8 margin.
Penn State holds a 21-0 advantage against the Mountain Hawks in a series that dates back to 1985. The Nittany Lions faced the Mountain Hawks each season from 1985-2001 before restarting the series during the 2009 campaign. In their last meeting, Penn State dominated Lehigh, 15-3, behind a five-point outing from midfielder Theresa Zichelli.
Following Wednesday night's game, Penn State will face Ohio State Sunday for Senior Day. The Nittany Lions will recognize their four seniors prior to the game, which will air on BTN on a tape delay.