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March 11, 2014
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The No. 11/12 Penn State women's lacrosse team (3-3, 0-0 ALC) will make its first trip to Rutgers (3-3, 0-0 BIG EAST) since 1989 when the Nittany Lions and Scarlet Knights battle at High Point Solutions Stadium Wednesday, March 12. Opening draw is set at 3 p.m.
ALL-TIME VS. RUTGERS
Penn State, which faced the Scarlet Knights at least once a season from 1978-89, leads its all-time series against Rutgers, 14-0. The teams last met during the 1998 season when the Nittany Lions defeated the Scarlet Knights, 14-9, for the ECAC championship.
The 1998 matchup was the closest in the series as the Nittany Lions' average margin of victory stands at 14.1 goals. Penn State boasts one shutout against Rutgers (18-0 in 1978), while holding the Scarlet Knights to five goals or fewer 11 times.
SCOUTING THE SCARLET KNIGHTS
The Scarlet Knights enter the mid-week matchup on a two-game losing streak after falling to Penn (6-3) and Stony Brook (14-4).
Attacker/midfielder Katrina Martinelli and attacker Megan Clements have recorded a team-high seven points (4g, 3a) each, while midfielder Lauren Sbrilli paces the team with six goals. Clements and Sbrilli have collected eight draw controls each, while Martinelli and defender Claire MacDougall have notched a team-high five caused turnovers. Amanda Currell, who boasts a 2-2 record in net, has secured a team-best 14 ground balls.
CYR'S CAREER DAY PACES LIONS
Sophomore midfielder Madison Cyr set career highs in goals (4), points (6) and draw controls (5), while matching her career high in assists (2), in an 18-11 victory against then-No. 12 Loyola March 8.
NO SOPHOMORE SLUMP
Sophomore Madison Cyr, who last year collected 25 points (18g, 7a) in 21 games, has registered 14 points (11g, 3a) in just six games in 2014. The midfielder ranks second on the team in goals, third in points and fourth in assists.
SETTING THE BAR
A pair of Nittany Lions set career highs against Loyola March 8 as sophomore Ally Heavens recorded a personal-best four ground balls and senior Lauren Purvis notched a career-high three caused turnovers.
LAST TIME OUT
Seven Nittany Lions recorded at least three points as Penn State rolled past then-No. 12 Loyola, 18-11, March 8. In addition to Madison Cyr's career day, midfielders Kelly Lechner and Jenna Mosketti netted four-goal games, while freshman Abby Smucker recorded her first three-goal outing.
Final Stats (PSU-LOY): Shots (32-21), Saves (7-8), Ground Balls (16-12), Draw Controls (20-11), Turnovers (13-9), Caused Turnovers (6-8).
DOHERTY SUCCESSFUL AT HOME
Penn State improved to 22-7 at home under head coach Missy Doherty with an 18-11 win against Loyola March 8.
BALANCED ATTACK
Eight Nittany Lions have recorded at least 10 points in 2014. Senior Mackenzie Cyr and junior Maggie McCormick lead the team with 15 points each. Four Nittany Lions - Jenna Mosketti (12), Madison Cyr (11), Abby Smucker (10), Kelly Lechner (10) - have at least 10 goals.
TAKING CONTROL
Sophomore Jenna Mosketti leads the team with 25 draw controls. The next two Lions in the category - Kelly Lechner (14), Madison Cyr (11) - combine for 25 draw controls.
GETTING DEFENSIVE
Senior defender Lauren Purvis has collected a team-high eight caused turnovers, while midfielder Madison Cyr, attacker Mackenzie Cyr and defender Evan Foulsham are tied for second with seven.
LOOKING AHEAD
Following Wednesday's game, Penn State will begin conference play Saturday, March 15 when it visits Vanderbilt. Game time is set for 1 p.m. ET.