UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – No. 22 Penn State women's lacrosse will host No. 5 Michigan for Senior Day Saturday, April 6 at 1 p.m. The Nittany Lions will honor nine seniors prior to first draw.
Game Info
Who: (22) Penn State vs. (5) Michigan
Where: University Park, Pa. – Panzer Stadium
When: Saturday, April 6 at 1 p.m.
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Nittany Lions vs. Wolverines
The Nittany Lions fall behind in the all-time series against the Wolverines, 5-6, with games dating back to 2014.
In their most recent match up in 2023, Penn State lost to Michigan in Ann Arbor, 10-8. Emma Kelly and Kristin O'Neill led the offensive efforts with two goals apiece.
The last time the two teams met in University Park, the Nittany Lions lost in overtime, 8-7.
Scouting the Wolverines
The Wolverines are 12-1 on the season and 2-1 in the Big Ten under the direction of head coach Hannah Nielson, who is in her seventh season with Michigan. Michigan won its most recent match up against Eastern Michigan, 20-4.
Junior Jill Smith leads the team with 65 goals and 12 assists. In the cage for the Wolverines is senior Maya Santa-Maria who has registered 136 saves this season.
Last Time Out
Penn State held on to win their final nonconference game of the season against Vanderbilt. 12-11. Gretchen Gilmore led the scoring efforts with three goals. Six other Nittany Lions accounted for the 11 goals.
Preseason Nods
Penn State was ranked No. 14 in the USA Lacrosse preseason poll and No. 18 in the IWLCA preseason poll. In the Big Ten, the Nittany Lions were picked to finish seventh.
Senior captain Kristin O'Neill was named a USA Lacrosse Preseason All-American third team and was an Inside Lacrosse Returning Player to Watch. She was also named a Big Ten Player to Watch along with junior Ellie Hollin and senior Sammy Dupcak.
Most recently O'Neill was named to the prestigious Tawaaraton Watch List for the third consecutive season.
Run it Back
The Nittany Lions' return 29-of-33 players from their 2023 roster, including 12 players who appeared in every game last season. The 39-player roster features nine freshmen, eight sophomores, eight juniors, nine seniors and five graduate students.
Fresh Faces
Penn State adds nine freshmen to the 2024 roster: Abby Baker, Ryan St. Pierre, Lainey Straub, Cailin Hetrick, Kelly MacKinney, Sydney Manning, Evelyn Scallion, Minka Martinez and Lilly Spilker.
MacKinney and Manning were named Inside Lacrosse Top 100 Freshmen in November.
On the Lookout
- O'Neill is 14 points away from 200 in her career.
- Gretchen Gilmore is four points away from 100 in her career.
- Kayla Abernathy is two points away from 50 in her career. She is also 16 draws away from 200 in her career.
Up Next
Penn State women's lacrosse will go back on the road to face No. 2 Maryland Saturday, April 13 at 12 p.m.