Field Hockey | September 4, 2014

PHILADELPHIA - The La Salle field hockey squad will play the third game of its early-season road trip on Friday when the Explorers square off at Columbia at 5 p.m. The game marks the season opener for the Lions, and third for the Explorers after the UMass Lowell Tournament last weekend.

La Salle Explorers (0-2) at Columbia Lions (0-0)
Friday, Sept. 5 | 5 p.m.
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Scouting the Explorers

The young squad is still in search of its first win after dropping a pair of games to Holy Cross and UMass Lowell at the Lowell Tournament last weekend. The Explorers fell 1-0 to the Crusaders on a second-half penalty strokeand 2-0 to the Riverhawks. The losses spoiled fine defensive efforts of new starting goalkeeper Rachel Hartman who recorded 18 saves in the two contests combined, while giving up just three goals.

The young offense is looking for a spark in New York on Friday, as the team seeks its first goal of the season. Devin Muracco leads with four shots, three of which were on point last weekend, while rookie Eileen Dzwill took three and sophomore Gina Smith attempted two.

All eight rookie field position players made their collegiate debuts last weekend, with six having made their first career starts.

Scouting the Lions

Columbia's season kicks off on Friday when the Lions host the Explorers. Though the Lions went just 6-11 last year, they return eight of their starters and a total of 17 returning players including All-Ivy pick Katie Ruesterholz. Ruesterholz scored 10 goals in 2013, setting a program record for goals by a freshman.

Also returning is Christina Freibott, who earned NFHCA All-Region honors in midfield after posting five goals and six assists. Lauren Skudalski will continue to anchor the defense. She was among the national leaders with nine defensive saves last season.

In goal, the trio of senior Marlee Silverstein, junior Kimberly Pianucci and sophomore Kendall Kuntz are competing for the starting job. Pianucci made 13 starts, while Silverstein saw action in eight games.

Next Up

The Explorers will host their home opener on Wednesday, Sept. 10, when they take on Villanova at 4 p.m.