UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The No. 12 Penn State Women's Lacrosse team is set to open the 2019 season on Saturday as it hosts No. 11 Towson. The 2 p.m. matchup will be played in Holuba Hall, following the men's game vs. Robert Morris.
No admission will be charged for games played in Holuba. A post-game autograph session will follow the contest vs. Towson.
The Nittany Lions, led by Head Coach Missy Doherty, begin the season seeking their eighth straight NCAA Tournament appearance. Penn State went 10-10 last season, including 3-3 in Big Ten play, and reached the NCAA First Round. Penn State is ranked 12th in the IWLCA Preseason Poll and 10th in the Inside Lacrosse Poll.
Towson, coached by Sonia LaMonica, went 16-5 last year, reaching the NCAA Second Round. The Tigers are ranked 11th in the IWLCA Poll and No. 14 in the Inside Lacrosse Poll.
Follow the action on our social media pages on Facebook (PennStateWomensLacrosse) and Twitter/Instagram (@pennstatewlax).
THIS WEEK'S MATCHUP
This marks the ninth meeting in the series, with the Nittany Lions winning the first seven before last year's 14-13 setback at Towson.
The matchup features two teams ranked in the top 12 of the IWLCA Preseason Poll, with the Nittany Lions ranked 12th and the Tigers ranked 11th.
In last year's matchup, the Nittany Lions trailed 11-5 at halftime, but rallied with eight goals in the second half. Katie O'Donnell scored back-to-back goals to bring PSU within one, 14-13, with just 38 seconds left. However, the comeback fell just short. Madison Carter led the Nittany Lions with six goals, while Maria Auth had two.
PRESEASON HONORS
Seniors Kayla Brisolari and Madison Carter were selected as Preseason All-Americans by Inside Lacrosse. Carter was named First Team while Brisolari was selected third team.
Brisolari and Carter were both named Postseason IWLCA All-Americans in 2018, while Carter added an Inside Lacrosse All-American honor.
Junior Maria Auth, Brisolari and Carter were all named Players to Watch by the Big Ten in 2019.
IN THE POLLS
The Nittany Lions are ranked No. 12 in the Preseason IWLCA Poll, announced on January 28. Penn State finished 18th in the 2018 IWLCA Poll. The blue and white are also ranked No. 10 in the Inside Lacrosse Preseason Poll. PSU was selected third the Preseason Big Ten Poll behind Maryland and Northwestern.
CHALLENGING SCHEDULE
Penn State is set to face nine opponents ranked in the Preseason IWLCA Poll. The Nittany Lions will battle No. 2 Maryland, No. 4 James Madison, No. 5 Stony Brook, No. 7 Northwestern, No. 8 Princeton, No. 9 Loyola, No. 11 Towson, No. 16 Virginia and No. 23 Johns Hopkins.
Penn State will face six opponents who reached the 2018 NCAA Tournament.
O CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN
Seniors Kayla Brisolari and Kelly Daggett were selected as captains for the 2019 season. Brisolari begins her second season as a captain after serving in 2018.
NATIONAL AUDIENCE
Penn State will be featured on two ESPNU broadcasts this Spring. The Nittany Lions' Big Ten home opener against No. 2 Maryland on March 21 will be shown on the national network. The blue and white will also face No. 23 Johns Hopkins in an ESPNU matchup on April 19.
SHOOT TO SCORE
Penn State matched a program record with 303 goals last season. PSU also had 303 goals in 2017. The Nittany Lions ranked 12th in total goals and 14th in goals per game (15.15) in the nation. PSU also ranked 12th in shots per game (34.05) and 11th in shots on goal per game (25.35). PSU also posted a 45.9 free-position percentage, good for 25th in the country.
Senior Madison Carter ranked 24th in the country and third in the Big Ten with 62 goals. She was also third in the conference with 3.10 goals per game. Carter enters the season ranked fifth all-time at Penn State with 180 career goals. She is 23 away from Katie O'Donnell in fourth.
Senior captain Kelly Daggett