PHILADELPHIA - The La Salle lacrosse squad returns to McCarthy Stadium on Saturday as the Explorers open Atlantic 10 play by hosting No. 16/11 Massachusetts at 11 a.m.

Massachusetts Minutewomen (8-2) @ La Salle Explorers (8-1)
Saturday, March 30, 2013 | 11 a.m.
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Scouting the Explorers

La Salle opens the Atlantic 10 season after coming off of its best nonconference season in program history, going 8-1 and putting together a current seven-game win streak.

The Explorers have not played for 11 days, their last contest an 11-8 triumph at Lafayette behind five Caitlyn Brostrand goals and two each from Katelyn Fay, Lauren McDermott and Melanie Sarcinello. Sarcinello hit the game winner against the Leopards, which also marked her 100th career goal. She was the second Explorer to hit that milestone this season, joining McDermott who did so against San Diego State.

Brostrand leads the squad in scoring with 28 goals and two assists for 30 points. McDermott is second with 21 goals and six assists for 27 points. Three more Explorers are in double digit goals for the season to round out La Salle's balanced offensive attack, including Fay (13), Erin McCabe (12) and Sarcinello (11). Three more - Kelly Furman, Jackie Roebuck and Claire Andrews - have six goals apiece, and Furman is tied for the team lead in assists with six.

Maura Malone is sporting an 8.41 goals against average and .431 save percentage through nine games.

Scouting the Minutewomen

UMass is coming off of an 8-2 nonconference season in which the only losses were to top-ranked Northwestern and an overtime loss to Boston University. The defending A-10 champions have won 20 consecutive games against conference opponents, and are looking for their 21st.

The Minutewomen are led by Katie Ferris, who is up to 42 points on the season behind 28 goals and 14 assists. A pair of Minutewomen have 32 points apiece (Sam Rush and Cori Murray). Lauren Terracciano (27 points) and Tanner Guarino (22 points) round out the top five scorers.

Rachel Vallarelli has seen the majority of time in goal, starting all 10 games and recording an 8.36 goals against average and .402 save percentage.

Next Up

The Explorers head to George Washington next Friday (4/5) before coming back on Sunday (4/7) to host Richmond.