Feb. 14, 2014
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State women's lacrosse team will host Penn at Holuba Hall Sunday, Feb. 16 at noon in the team's lone exhibition contest of the 2014 season. There is no charge for admission.
Following the team's exhibition, the seventh-ranked Nittany Lions will open the season Wednesday, Feb. 19 at Bucknell. Opening draw is set at 4 p.m.
PARKING ADVISORY
Fans should be aware of a number of overlapping events in the Pegula Ice Arena/Bryce Jordan Center/Holuba Hall area on Sunday. Parking will be at a premium so leave extra time to find a place to park for your events. Fans for the women's lacrosse game should look to park in the Orange-F lots near Holuba Hall.
LIMITED BAG POLICY
Penn State has implemented a limited bag policy at all home athletic events this season. One clear plastic one-gallon plastic bag per person will be permitted for medical needs, child care needs and general items as needed. Items that can fit in a pocket should remain in patrons' pockets (i.e. keys, cell phone, wallet, glasses, camera, sunscreen, lip balm, make-up). General items of this nature, including those that don't fit in patrons' pocket, can also be placed in a clear plastic one-gallon plastic bag.
NITTANY LIONS TO ENTER 2014 AS TOP-10 TEAM
Penn State, which went 14-7 in 2013 and advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals for the second straight season, will enter the 2014 campaign as the seventh-ranked team in both the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association and Brine/Inside Lacrosse preseason polls.
DOHERTY ENTERS YEAR FOUR
Head coach Missy Doherty will enter her fourth season (36-22 at Penn State) in Happy Valley in 2014. During her three seasons, Doherty has led Penn State to two NCAA tournaments (2012, 2013) and a share of one ALC regular-season championship (2013). In all, Doherty has coached six IWLCA All-Americans, 14 All-ALC members and one CoSIDA Academic All-American.
RETURNING FIRE POWER
Penn State will return its top four scorers, including a pair of IWLCA Second Team All-Americans (Maggie McCormick, Kelly Lechner), and nearly 90 percent of the team's scoring from 2013.
McCORMICK LEADING THE WAY
Attacker Maggie McCormick, who enjoyed a breakout sophomore campaign, recorded 87 points in 2013, the most by a Nittany Lion since Tami Worley collected 94 points during Penn State's 1989 national championship season. The Eldersburg, Md., native was nominated for the Tewaaraton Award, presented to the nation's top male and female collegiate lacrosse player, and will serve as one of the team captains in 2014.
CYR CLIMBING THE CHARTS
Senior Mackenzie Cyr will enter the 2014 season with an eye on the Penn State record books. The Westminster, Md., native has collected 81 assists in her stellar career, good for fifth on the Nittany Lions' all-time list. In 2013, Cyr notched a career-high 35 assists and ranked second on the team in the category.
OH CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN
Seniors Lizzy Carney and Mackenzie Cyr and juniors Kelly Lechner and Maggie McCormick will serve as the Nittany Lion captains in 2014.
NEWCOMERS
Penn State will welcome eight freshmen, three transfers - Natalia Angelo (Loyola), Dani Lazo (Louisville), Jess Loizeaux (Virgina) - and former Penn State field hockey player Whitney Reddig to the squad.
SISTER ACT
The 2014 Nittany Lions boast four sets of sisters - Mackenzie and Madison Cyr, Ali and Evan Foulsham, Dani and Steph Lazo, Kelly and Shannon Lechner - on the team.
PENN STATE WINS FIRST ALC CROWN
In 2013, the Nittany Lions finished 4-1 in conference play for the first time since 2006 as they clinched a share of their first ALC regular-season championship. Penn State, Florida and Northwestern all finished with identical 4-1 marks.
HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE
Penn State went 9-0 at home last year, finishing with an unblemished home record for the 11th time in program history and first time since 1991.