UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State women’s lacrosse is set to take on its first ranked foe of the year when it takes on No. 12 Princeton on Wednesday, March 5.
First draw between Penn State and the Tigers is set for 5:30 p.m. (ET) at Panzer Stadium.
Game Info
Who: Penn State at No. 12 Princeton
What: First Ranked Test of 2025
Where: Princeton, N.J. – Sherrerd Field at Class of 1952 Stadium
When: Wednesday, March 5 at 5:30 p.m. (ET)
Free Admission
Nittany Lions vs. Princeton
Princeton holds a 28-14 edge over the Nittany Lions, winning four of the last five meetings. The Tigers took the last meeting in the series in an 18-13 decision at Panzer Stadium last season.
Princeton has a 78-62 goal differential in the last five meetings, and four of the last six meetings have been decided by two goals or less.
Scouting the Tigers
Princeton welcomes the Nittany Lions while maintaining a 3-1 record on the season. The Tigers’ lone loss came at the hands of then-No. 8 Virginia in the team’s home opener, which closed with a 13-11 final score. Since then, Princeton toppled then No. 13 Loyola, followed by a one-goal victory over Delaware and a 16-goal win over Hofstra.
In the most recent outing against the Pride, junior Haven Dora dished seven assists, matching the Princeton single-game record. The record was set only a week prior by Dora herself. She is currently the nation’s leader in assists per game, averaging 5.25.
As a team, Princeton ranks in the top ten in the country in assists per game (8.00), points per game (23.50), scoring offense (15.50), and turnovers per game (10.00).
Last Time Out
Penn State dropped a 14-8 decision on Saturday afternoon to Ivy opponent Cornell at Panzer Stadium.
While PSU tied the game at one early in the first quarter, the Big Red ran out to a 9-2 lead before the end of the period and never looked back.
Sophomore Kelly MacKinney was the Nittany Lions top point scorer with a goal and four assists for five points. Junior Erika Ho followed with three goals for her second-straight hat trick. Senior Brooke Hoss wrapped up the Penn State multi-point scorers with two goals. Maggie Golder scooped a career-high five ground balls and senior Ellie Hollin caused two turnovers to move her career tally to seven.
Preseason Nods
In the Big Ten preseason poll, the Nittany Lions were picked to finish fifth.
Senior captain Ellie Hollin has been raking in the preseason recognitions. The defender has been named a consensus preseason first-team All-American and earned a spot on the Tewaaraton watch list.
Hollin also earned nod from the conference offices, being named a Big Ten Player to Watch. She joined sophomores Sydney Manning and Kelly MacKinney on the list.
Getting Younger
Where the Nittany Lions returned 29-of-33 players from 2023 to 2024 roster, the 2025 roster boasts 24 sophomores and freshmen by class eligibility.
Manning and MacKinney highlight the group after their breakout seasons in 2024.
MacKinney returns as the fourth-leading scorer from last year. The then-freshmen posted 39 points on 14 goals and 25 assists. The attacker ranked in top ten in the conference and led the team with her assist total and assist per game mark (1.32).
Manning was named the 2024 Big Ten Freshman of the Year last season. The then-freshman has started 16 games in her rookie campaign, making 100 saves. She also scooped up 24 ground balls. The netminder made 15 save in the upset victories over No. 1 Northwestern and No. 4 Maryland in 2024.
Fresh Faces
Penn State adds 12 freshmen to the 2024 roster: Dakota Cristo, Arden Jansen, Alexa Kairis, Brooke Lattanzi, Brooke Long, Allie Meyer, Meggie Rezza, Porter Rhoades, Ava Stummer, Victoria Tomonto, Grace Tullock, and Ellie Wisch.
In addition to the rookies, Penn State added transfers Lily Strohecker (Navy) and Delaney Radin (Florida).
On the Lookout
- Delaney Radin is eight points away from 25 on her career.
- Erika Ho is 11 draw controls away from 50 this season.
- Ellie Hollin is five caused turnovers away from 75 on her career.
- Kelly MacKinney is 8 assists away from 50 in her career.
- Sydney Manning is 14 saves away from 150 in her career.
Up Next
The Nittany Lions get a week’s rest before retaking the field next Thursday, March 13 to open Big Ten competition against Maryland. First draw is set for 1 p.m. at Panzer Stadium for the team’s White Out game.