| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Feb. 28, 2014
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The No. 8/8 Penn State women's lacrosse team (2-1, 0-0 ALC) will travel to No. 9/16 Virginia (1-3, 0-1 ACC) for a Saturday (March 1) afternoon matchup at Klöckner Stadium. Opening draw for the top-10 matchup is set at noon.
ALL-TIME VS. VIRGINIA
The Nittany Lions are 6-18 all-time against Virginia, but have defeated the Cavaliers by scores of 15-14 and 14-17 during the 2013 and 2012 seasons, respectively.
Among returning players, junior attacker Maggie McCormick has 10 career points (3g, 7a) against the Cavaliers, while both senior attacker Mackenzie Cyr and junior midfielder Kelly Lechner have six career points. In 2013, then-freshman goalkeeper Emi Smith made seven saves to earn her third career win.
LAST TIME VS. THE CAVALIERS
The Nittany Lions netted 10 second half goals to come from behind and beat the Cavaliers, 15-14, March 3, 2013. Penn State was paced by then-sophomore midfielder Kelly Lechner, who had four points (2g, 2a) in the victory. Attacker Mackenzie Cyr added three goals of her own, while fellow attacker Maggie McCormick added three assists.
Final Stats (PSU-UVa): Shots (30-36), Saves (7-8), Ground Balls (15-17), Draw Controls (15-16), Turnovers (9-12), Caused Turnovers (4-6).
SCOUTING VIRGINIA
The Cavaliers enter the game at 1-3 after falling to Syracuse, 18-14, Feb. 23. Virginia is paced by junior midfielder Courtney Swan, who has 20 points (15g, 5a) through four games this season. In net for the Cavaliers' first four games has been Liz Colgan. The senior has allowed 56 goals, while stopping 41 in four starts.
LAST TIME OUT
The Nittany Lions were led by attackers Maggie McCormick and Mackenzie Cyr. Both finished with three points in an 11-7 win over Duquesne Feb. 25. Junior midfielders Kelly Lechner and Tatum Coffey both contributed one goal in the victory over the Dukes.
Final Stats (PSU-DUQ): Shots (30-11), Saves (1-11), Ground Balls (23-13), Draw Controls (12-8), Turnovers (17-22), Caused Turnovers (15-13).
PAIR ON TEWAARATON WATCH LIST
Juniors Kelly Lechner and Maggie McCormick have been named to the 2014 Tewaaraton Award Watch List.
The Tewaaraton Award annually honors the top male and female college lacrosse player in the U.S. Additions to the Watch List will be announced March 20 and April 10 before the field of 25 women's and men's nominees are announced April 24. The five finalists for each award will be announced May 8 with the winners being unveiled May 20 in Washington, D.C.
MOSKETTI TAKING CONTROL
Sophomore midfielder Jenna Mosketti is off to a quick start controlling 15 draws for the Nittany Lions this season. She has nine more than any other Penn State player.
SMUCKER STARTING FAST
Freshman Abby Smucker has four goals through the Nittany Lions' first three games. She is leading all freshmen in goals and is tied for third on the team.
PAIR OF JUNIORS PACING LIONS
Midfielder Tatum Coffey is leading all Nittany Lions in points with eight (6g, 2a), while attacker Maggie McCormick is second on the team with seven (5g, 2a).
DEFENSE HAVING EARLY SUCCESS
The Nittany Lions have caused 38 turnovers in their first three games, 16 more than their opponents. Seniors Evan Foulsham and Mackenzie Cyr and sophomore Jenna Mosketti lead Penn state with four each this season.
ANOTHER ROAD TEST
The Nittany Lions will attempt to start the season 2-0 on the road for the first time since the 2012 season.
CYR CLIMBING THE CHARTS
Senior Mackenzie Cyr entered the 2014 season with an eye on the Penn State record books. The Westminster, Md., native has collected 83 assists in her stellar career, good for fifth on the Nittany Lions' all-time list.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Nittany Lions will continue their road trip when they face James Madison in Harrisonburg, Va., Wednesday, March 5. Game time is set for 4 p.m.