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March 7, 2014
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - After a two-game road trip, the ninth-ranked Nittany Lion women's lacrosse team (2-3, 0-0 ALC) will return home Saturday, March 8 when they welcome No. 12/12 Loyola (2-3, 0-0 Patriot League) to the Penn State Lacrosse Field. Opening draw is set for 1 p.m. as the teams will meet for the fifth straight year.
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.
ALL-TIME VS. LOYOLA
The Nittany Lions, who fell to the Greyhounds by a 13-11 score last season, are 13-14 all-time against Loyola. Penn State last defeated the Greyhounds, 9-8, in the 2010 season opener.
Among returning players, senior attacker Mackenzie Cyr has eight career points (3g, 5a) against the Greyhounds, while junior attacker Maggie McCormick has five points (4g, 1a). Both junior midfielders Kelly Lechner and Tatum Coffey have recorded three career points against Loyola.
LAST TIME VS. THE GREYHOUNDS
Four Nittany Lions - Jenna Mosketti, Maggie McCormick, Kelly Lechner, Ally Heavens - scored two goals each in a 13-11 loss against the Greyhounds in Baltimore, Md., Feb. 23, 2013.
Penn State took a 7-6 lead into the halftime break, but Loyola scored four straight tallies out of the locker room for a 10-7 lead. After the Nittany Lions fought back to make it 12-11, Loyola netted a goal with 2:52 to play to claim the two-goal victory.
Final Stats (PSU-LOY): Shots (29-32), Saves (7-8), Ground Balls (18-20), Draw Controls (13-13), Turnovers (12-14), Caused Turnovers (6-8).
SCOUTING LOYOLA
The No. 12/12 Greyhounds will enter the game at 2-3 after falling to No. 5/5 Florida, 14-13, on March 4. Loyola is paced by senior midfielder Marlee Patton, who has 18 points (12g, 6a) in four games this season.
Midfielder Taryn VanThof paces the team in ground balls (13), draw controls (18) and caused turnovers (6). Sophomore Molly Wolf has started all five games and has compiled a 10.00 goals-against average and .505 save percentage.
LAST TIME OUT
Three Nittany Lions - midfielders Kelly Lechner and Jenna Mosketti and attacker Jess Loizeaux - scored two goals each in their 11-10 setback against James Madison March 5.
Penn State, which held a 7-5 halftime advantage, took a 10-9 lead with freshman Abby Smucker's seventh marker of the season with 6:41 left to play, but James Madison's Stephanie Finley netted the game's final two goals - the final coming on a man-up, free-position shot - with 46 seconds remaining en route to the one-goal victory.
Final Stats (PSU-JMU): Shots (23-22), Saves (8-8), Ground Balls (20-18), Draw Controls (12-11), Turnovers (16-15), Caused Turnovers (10-13).
DOHERTY SUCCESSFUL AT HOME
Under head coach Missy Doherty, the Nittany Lions are 21-7 in games played at home, including a 1-1 mark this season.
PAIR ON TEWAARATON WATCH LIST
Juniors Kelly Lechner and Maggie McCormick have been named to the 2014 Tewaaraton Award Watch List. The Tewaaraton Award annually honors the top male and female college lacrosse player in the U.S.
Additions to the Watch List will be announced March 20 and April 10 before the field of 25 women's and men's nominees are announced April 24. The five finalists for each award will be announced May 8 with the winners being unveiled May 20 in Washington, D.C.
LOOKING AHEAD
Following Saturday's game, the Nittany Lions will visit Rutgers March 12 before opening the final season of ALC play at Vanderbilt March 15.