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March 14, 2014
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The No. 11/12 Penn State women's lacrosse team (4-3, 0-0 ALC) will open ALC play against Vanderbilt (3-3, 0-0 ALC) for the 13th straight season Saturday, March 15 when the teams square off at the VU Lacrosse Complex. Opening draw is at 1 p.m. ET.
HOW TO FOLLOW
A free web stream, as well as live stats, will be accessible through GoPSUsports.com.
NITTANY LIONS IN ALC OPENERS
Penn State improved to 6-6 all-time in ALC openers with a 20-14 victory against the Commodores in Happy Valley March 17, 2013.
LAST YEAR VS. THE COMMODORES
The Nittany Lions won both their contests against Vanderbilt during the 2013 season, defeating the Commodores by a 20-14 score March 17 before securing a 16-14 victory in the ALC quarterfinals in Baltimore, Md., May 2.
Among returning players, attacker Maggie McCormick secured a team-high eight points (7g, 1a), while junior Kelly Lechner (6g, 1a) and senior Mackenzie Cyr (4g, 3a) notched seven points each. Sophomore Jenna Mosketti grabbed a team-best seven draw controls, while classmate Madison Cyr collected a team-high seven caused turnovers.
ALL-TIME VS. VANDERBILT
The Nittany Lions improved to 10-7 all-time against Vanderbilt with a pair of victories last season. Penn State is currently on a four-game winning streak, with its last loss to the Commodores coming in the 2009 season.
SCOUTING VANDERBILT
Mallory Schonk paces Vanderbilt in assists (14) and points (27), while Abby Wheeler has netted a team-high 14 goals. Kelly Chandler leads the team in draw controls (21), and Emma Dagres has collected a team-best 12 ground balls. Maddie Kratz has started all six games and has earned a 2-3 record with a 12.88 goals-against average and .376 save percentage.
In their last game, the Commodores held an 8-7 second-half lead against Denver before falling, 10-8, March 5.
LAST TIME OUT
Junior midfielder Kelly Lechner matched her career high with five goals, as the Nittany Lions secured a 19-7 victory against Rutgers March 12. Junior midfielder Tatum Coffey and freshman Abby Smucker contributed two goals each, while senior Mackenzie Cyr (1g, 1a) and junior Maggie McCormick (2a) added two points each. Freshman goalkeeper Cat Rainone, who corralled a game-high four ground balls, made seven saves.
Final Stats (PSU-RU): Shots (27-22), Saves (7-7), Ground Balls (13-17), Draw Controls (16-12), Turnovers (13-13), Caused Turnovers (7-7).
PIAZZA, HARMAN SET FIRSTS
Freshman Sarah Piazza (goal) and sophomore Heather Harman (assist) recorded their first career points in Penn State's 19-7 victory against Rutgers.
SMUCKER EARNS WEEKLY HONOR
Following a four-goal week against James Madison and Loyola, freshman midfielder Abby Smucker was named ALC Rookie of the Week March 11. A Bel Air, Md., native, Smucker collected four goals and two draw controls in a pair of games. The newcomer netted her first three-goal performance of the season in an 18-11 victory against then-No. 12 Loyola March 8 and collected a goal against James Madison March 5.
NO SOPHOMORE SLUMPS
Midfielder Madison Cyr, who last year collected 25 points (18g, 7a) in 21 games, is tied for the team lead with 17 points (14g, 3a) and nine caused turnovers. Midfielder Jenna Mosketti leads the team in draw controls (30) and is tied for first in goals (15).
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 90 assists in her stellar career, good for fifth on the Nittany Lions' all-time list.
BALANCED ATTACK
Eight Nittany Lions have recorded at least 10 points in 2014, while five Nittany Lions - Kelly Lechner (15), Jenna Mosketti (15), Madison Cyr (15), Abby Smucker (12), Tatum Coffey (10) - have at least 10 goals.
TAKING CONTROL
Sophomore Jenna Mosketti leads the team with 30 draw controls. The next two Lions in the category - Kelly Lechner (16), Madison Cyr (13) - combine for 29 draw controls.
GETTING DEFENSIVE
Senior defender Evan Foulsham and sophomore midfielder Madison Cyr are tied for the team lead with nine caused turnovers.
LOOKING AHEAD
Following Saturday's game, the Nittany Lions will return home Sunday, March 23 when they welcome Michigan for the teams' first meeting. Game time at the Penn State Lacrosse Field is set at 1 p.m.