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March 25, 2014
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The No. 11/12 Penn State women's lacrosse team (6-3, 2-0 ALC) will return to action Wednesday, March 26 for a non-conference matchup against in-state rival Drexel (4-5, 0-0 CAA). Opening draw inside Holuba Hall is set for 2 p.m. for the teams' first meeting in Happy Valley since 1994.
GAME MOVED TO HOLUBA HALL
Due to the frigid temperatures forecasted for Wednesday afternoon, the Penn State-Drexel matchup will be played indoors at Holuba Hall. The game time has also been moved ahead two hours from 4 p.m. to 2 p.m. As a result, only live stats will be available through .
LIMITED BAG POLICY
Penn State has implemented a limited bag policy at all home athletic events this season. One clear plastic one-gallon plastic bag per person will be permitted for medical needs, child care needs and general items as needed. Items that can fit in a pocket should remain in patrons' pockets (i.e. keys, cell phone, wallet, glasses, camera, sunscreen, lip balm, make-up). General items of this nature, including those that don't fit in patrons' pocket, can also be placed in a clear plastic one-gallon plastic bag.
DRIVE FOR FIVE
The Nittany Lions are in search of their first five-game winning streak since head coach Missy Doherty's first season at Penn State in 2011.
HIGH-POWERED OFFENSE LEADS THE WAY
Penn State, which boasts the nation's 12th-ranked offense with 14.56 goals per game, is coming off a 20-goal performance against Michigan March 23. The Nittany Lions have netted at least 14 goals per game during their four-game win streak.
DEFENSE HOLDING STRONG
The Nittany Lions have held their opposition to fewer than 10 goals in each of the last three games and five times during the 2014 season. Drexel will enter the game averaging 8.22 goals per game.
PAIR REACH 100-POINT PLATEAU
Both junior midfielders Tatum Coffey (3g, 3a) and Kelly Lechner (1g, 1a) reached the 100-point marks for their careers in Penn State's win over Michigan March 23. Coffey boasts 76 goals and 24 assists, while Lechner's totals stand at 85 and 15, respectively.
FIRST TIMERS
Against Michigan, senior Carly Bitzer netted her first career goal in the second half, junior transfer Dani Lazo scored her first marker in the Blue and White and senior attacker Shannon Lechner recorded her first career two-goal game.
ALL-TIME VS. DREXEL
Penn State is 3-0 all-time against Drexel after winning matchups during the 1994, 1995 and 2013 seasons.
LAST TIME VS. THE DRAGONS
After Drexel tied the game with less than a minute to play, attacker Mackenzie Cyr (1g, 1a) netted the game-winning goal with 36 seconds remaining in a 9-8 win at Vidas Field March 22, 2013. Tatum Coffey (3g), Kelly Lechner (3g), Maggie McCormick (1g, 1a) and Katie Guy (1g) also tallied points for the Nittany Lions, while Emi Smith made 11 saves.
Final Stats (PSU-DU): Shots (22-26), Saves (11-11), Ground Balls (10-5), Draw Controls (7-12), Turnovers (10-10), Caused Turnovers (4-6).
SCOUTING DREXEL
Drexel will enter the mid-week matchup on a two-game skid after falling to Louisville (16-5) and New Hampshire (12-8). Attacker Kelly Palace paces the team in points (21) and goals (20), while midfielder Amanda Norcini's 27 ground balls and 24 caused turnovers are team highs. Midfielder Milan White has collected a squad-best 27 draw controls. Teresha Bradley has been the goalkeeper of record for each game and has compiled a 10.32 GAA and .384 save percentage.
LIONS IMPROVE TO 2-0 IN ALC
Penn State improved to 2-0 in ALC play for the second straight year with a 20-7 victory against NCAA newcomer Michigan Sunday afternoon. The Nittany Lions will search for their first 3-0 conference start since 2003 when they face Florida March 30.
LIONS AMONG ALC LEADERS
As a team, Penn State ranks second in the conference in caused turnovers per game (10.00) and third in draw controls per game (14.78) and scoring offense (14.56).
Attackers Maggie McCormick (15) and Mackenzie Cyr (11) rank fourth and seventh, respectively, in the conference in assists. Defender Lauren Purvis has collected a conference-leading 1.67 caused turnovers per game, while midfielder Jenna Mosketti's 4.67 draw controls per game rank second. Midfielders Madison Cyr and Kelly Lechner are tied for 12th in the league with 18 goals.
BALANCED ATTACK
Eight Nittany Lions have recorded double-digit points, while 18 players have notched at least one point, in 2014.
TAKING CONTROL
Jenna Mosketti's 42 draw controls are three more than next two Nittany Lions - Kelly Lechner (23), Madison Cyr (16) - combined.
DOHERTY SUCCESSFUL AT HOME
Penn State boasts a 23-7 home record under fourth-year head coach Missy Doherty. The Nittany Lions defeated Michigan, 20-7, in their last home matchup.
LOOKING AHEAD
Following Wednesday afternoon's game, Penn State will return to conference action Sunday, March 30 when it travels to No. 4/5 Florida. Game time is set for noon.