OPENING DRAW
After playing five of its first six games on the road, Colgate’s women’s lacrosse team actually will get a chance to play at home as two of the next three contests will be at the friendly confines of Tyler’s Field. The Raiders, 3-4 overall and 1-0 in league play, will not only look to even its record and look for its third consecutive victory over visiting Holy Cross. After a Tuesday date at UAlbany, the Raiders will host in-state rival Marist next Saturday afternoon.
THE PROGRAM
Colgate started its women’s lacrosse program in 1974. Since its inception, it has posted a 317-217-4 overall record; won four Patriot League titles and advanced to the NCAA Tournament four times as well. The Raiders posted their 300th victory in the program’s history with a 19-18 victory over Marist in a 2008 NCAA Tournament Play-in Game. Colgate notched a 17-4 record in the 1979 season, which stands as the most wins in a single season. The 2009 squad finished with a 14-5 overall mark, which set a school record for wins in a single season during the Division I era.
THE HEAD COACH
Heather Young, the 2009 Patriot League Coach of the Year, enters her fourth year at the helm of the Colgate program. Since being named the head coach prior to the 2007 season, she has piloted the program to a 34-31 record; back-to-back Patriot League titles and NCAA Tournament berths. In 2009, her squad defeated Navy 17-4 in the Patriot League title game and eventually finished 14-5 overall. The Raiders ranked among the nation’s top 10 as a defensive unit as well as boasting a top 15 scoring offense. In her three-years in Hamilton, Colgate has had 16 all-league selections – nine first team and seven second team mentions; two second team all-region honorees, as well as the 2009 Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year – Maddie Kearns. Young has a career record of 49-62, which includes a three-year stint at Davidson. ?
LAST TIME OUT
Meghan Lawler, Colleen Bubnack, Courtney Miller and Katie Sullivan each scored twice as Colgate rallied from an early deficit to post a 9-7 victory at George Mason Tuesday evening. The victory allowed the Raiders to remain undefeated versus the Patriots in the all-time series (3-0). With the game knotted at 5-5, Bubnack gave Colgate the lead for good with back-to-back goals with 27 and 24 minutes left. The lead grew as many as three at 9-6. Lawler finished with two goals and two assists, while Miller ended with a three-point performance. Christina Roa saved 13 shots in the victory. The victory completed a Spring Break two-game sweep of Washington D.C. area schools. The Raiders downed American 11-9 last Saturday to win their seventh Patriot League opener in the last eight years.
COLGATE AT A GLIMPSE
The Raiders head into Saturday’s game carrying a two-game win streak. Colgate’s offensive attack focuses on three – Meghan Lawler (9-17-26), Colleen Bubnack (13-6-19) and Courtney Miller (14-4-18), while Katie Sullivan (8-1-9) is closing in on double figured goal totals. Christina Roa (3-4, 73 saves) has played every minute in net, absent three. All three of the Raiders’ wins thus far have been close – Stony Brook (10-9), American (11-9), and George Mason (9-7). Four of their seven games have been determined by two goals or less.
ALL-TIME VERSUS HOLY CROSS
Colgate holds a commanding 18-7 lead in the series that dates back to 1985. ?
HOLY CROSS IN BRIEF
Holy Cross heads into the weekend with a 2-5 record and that includes a most recent 13-7 setback at the hands of Boston College. The Crusaders have a pair of 12-10 victories on their list – versus Mount St. Mary’s and Vermont. There is only one common opponent between the schools in New Hampshire. The Wildcats prevailed over Holy Cross 10-4 and downed Colgate 16-11. Kat Sutton (15-2-17) leads the offense, while Katie Gardner (7-6-13) and Taylor Zebrowski (7-4-11) are second and third on the roster as far as point producers.
ALL-TIME SCORING VERSUS HOLY CROSS
Four Raiders have career points versus Holy Cross with Meghan Lawler (5-2-7) leading the way. Courtney Miller (2-0-2), Alex Kuntz (2-0-2) and Colleen Bubnack (1-1-2) are the others.
LAST TIME VERSUS HOLY CROSS
Brie Moran posted the nation’s top goal and point total of the 2009 campaign and tied the school’s goal and points record as well with a 10-goal, two-assist afternoon as Colgate opened its Spring Break trip with a convincing 19-9 victory in Worcester. The Raiders, who held a 6-4 lead at intermission, outscored Holy Cross 13-5 in the second half. Meghan Lawler added four goals and an assist. Sara Drexler saved eight shots in the win. ?
SERIES VERSUS UALBANY
Colgate leads the all-time series 7-2
UALBANY IN BRIEF
The Great Danes head into their Saturday match-up with UMass sporting a 3-1 overall record after posting three consecutive victories over Niagara (24-2), Siena (18-2) and Canisius (17-4). UAlbany’s lone loss was in the season opener to Hofstra (17-14). The offense is led by Taylor Frink (12-7-19), Melanie Sosnowski (14-2-16), and Kayla Best (15-0-15). Ashley Ross is 3-1 in net for the Great Danes and has 33 saves on the year.
ALL-TIME SCORING VERSUS UALBANY
Three Raiders have previous points versus the Great Danes. Colleen Bubnack (6-3-9) has done some damage in her first two meetings against UAlbany. Meghan Lawler (2-2-4) and Kailey Krause (1-0-1) round out the scoring.
LAST TIME VERSUS ALBANY
Colleen Bubnack posted the game’s last two goals, including the game winner at 2:52 of overtime as Colgate rallied to defeat UAlbany 11-10 in Heather Bliss’ first ever overtime appearance either as a player or as a head coach. The Raiders trailed by as many as 7-4 in the opening half. Down 9-7, Bubnack and Krause scored with 11:13 and 10:25 left in regulation to even the contest. After UAlbany regained the lead with 3:04 left, Brie Moran assisted on Bubnack’s game tying goal with 1:55 left. Bubnack finished with five goals. Christina Roa saved three shots in relief and got credited with the win in cage. Taylor Frink had four goals for the Great Danes.
SERIES VERSUS MARIST
Colgate has won all four previous meetings with the Red Foxes, including a 15-9 victory in Poughkeepsie last April. This is a re-match from the 2008 NCAA Play-In game as Colgate prevailed 19-18 to move on to play second-ranked Penn in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
MARIST IN BRIEF
After the first five games, the Red Foxes are 2-3 overall and that includes a 22-3 loss at Florida. Marist has a balanced scoring attack with Jori Procaccini (9-2-11), Amanda Tuck (9-1-10), Kelly Condon (6-5-11), and Lindsay Rinefierd (4-5-9) leading the way. Alyssa Littin (2-3, 34 saves) had played the majority of time in the net. The Red Foxes opened the season with a pair of wins over Lafayette (15-12) and LeMoyne (10-8).
ALL-TIME SCORING VERSUS MARIST
Four current Raiders have posted points versus Marist in previous games. Meghan Lawler (9-8-17) has tallied 17 points in four meetings, while Colleen Bubnack (7-2-9) has faced the Red Foxes three times. Courtney Miller (3-0-3) and Kate Bergstrom (1-0-1) are the remaining scorers versus Marist.
LAST TIME VERSUS MARIST
Colgate scored the first five goals of the first half and did the same in the second half en route to a 15-9 victory over Marist. Meghan Lawler posted a goal and five assists to lead the offense, while Brie Moran posted a seven-goal, eight-point effort. Colgate built its largest lead at 14-5.
IN THE CREASE
Christina Roa made 13 stops in Colgate’s 9-7 victory at George Mason. It marked the fourth time this season the sophomore had posted double figured save totals. She was credited for 12 in the season –opener versus Stony Brook and 11 in a loss at then sixth-ranked Syracuse. Roa recorded a season-high 15 in a loss at #19 New Hampshire. Her career record is 18 set last season at Lehigh.
RECORDS WERE MADE TO BE BROKEN
It could be only the matter of seconds before current assistant coach Heidi Ross falls into second on the all-time draw control list at Colgate. With her two draw controls at George Mason, Colleen Bubnack tied the former standout with 108. The junior has the top two single-season bests in draw controls including setting a school record 50 in the 2008 season.
LENDING A HELPING HAND
With her three helpers in the two victories at American and George Mason, Meghan Lawler continues to move u the all-time list at Colgate for career assists. Entering this weekend, the senior has 59 helpers in her career, which stands third overall. Next up, Judi Conry, who amassed 67 in her career between 1986-89. Teammate Colleen Bubnack has 49 assists in her career, which ranks ninth. She is seven assists away from moving into a tie for seventh with Angela Chonris and Kara Keenan.
TOP 10 SCORER
With her combined five points against American and George Mason, Meghan Lawler moved within 12 points of overtaking Kara Keenan for ninth on the all-time point list. She moved into 10th with a five- point effort in the home opener versus Cornell passing former teammate Ashley Didio. The senior has 100 goals and 59 assists for 159 points. She needs 12 more goals to move into the top 10 in that category at Colgate. In the last national rankings, she was fifth in the country in assists, 10th in assists per game and 41st in total points.
PRESEASON TOP DOGS
Colgate received seven first place votes en route to being tabbed as the preseason pick to win the Patriot League once again. The Raiders collected 66 points in the poll to outdistance Navy and Lehigh by seven points. The Midshipmen and Mountain Hawks tied for second with 59, while Bucknell checked in with 40.