Women's Lacrosse | February 16, 2016

PHILADELPHIA- The La Salle women's lacrosse team opens up its 2016 campaign when they head to Philadelphia foe Temple for a 3 p.m. draw on Wednesday.

The Explorers look to build off an 8-8 overall record from last season while going 4-4 in league play and finishing in fifth place, just one game out of a spot in the Atlantic 10 Championship. 

"Practice has been going very well so far," added senior captain Allie Burnett. "We have been trying some new things. We had some indoor practices and some shortened practices due to the cold weather. Everyone is very excited once we do get out on the field."

La Salle has been picked to finish in fifth place in the A-10 Preseason Poll which would earn them a spot in the Championship as it expands to six teams this season.

"We missed out last season because Duquesne beat us in a rivalry game," said senior Katelyn Fay. "This year we know we have to put together all of the little things to get to the A-10s: ground balls, turnovers, draw controls, shot percentage, putting together all those little things will help us get back to the A-10 Championships."

Offensively, La Salle returns two of its top three scorers from a season ago in senior Katelyn Fay and junior Allee Ilgenfritz. Fay is coming off a season that saw her tally a team-high 40 goals as well as finish fifth in the league by averaging 3.12 points per game in conference play. She enters the season ranked 10^th in program history with 99 career goals and 115 career points. Ilgenfritz also turned in an impressive year as she recorded 30 goals and 11 assists. Overall La Salle returns 101 goals from a season ago.

The Explorers also return sophomore Brittany Edwards who finished with eight goals and three assists on attack during her freshman campaign. Senior Katie Fonte provides depth having made seven starts a season ago and finishing with seven points on the year with three goals and four assists.

"A lot of new faces will help contribute this year," added Fay. "I think senior Katie Fonte will do a great job with feeding and going to goal as well as making points for herself. Senior Brittany Edwards is another big one. She takes a lot of shots so she will come up big and be very beneficial for our attack."

In the midfield the Explorers return several players who played key roles a season ago. Sophomore Rachel Ceplo is coming off a season during which she was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team as she finished with eight goals, 12 ground balls, and ten draw controls. Senior Allie Burnett appeared in all 16 games last season and registered seven points. She recorded 12 draw controls and nine ground balls on the season while also forcing seven turnovers.

Seniors Anna Kelly, Kerry Newby and Abby O'Donnell appeared in every game a season ago while junior Anna Gordon appeared in 15 of the 16 contests as all four will look to make an impact in the midfield this season. Kelly and Newby both had 13 draw controls on the season while Newby forcing a team-high 18 turnovers with O'Donnell close behind with 16 of her own.

"We have a couple freshmen in Ashley Blanton and Renee Olivett who have really stepped up in the midfield," stated Burnett. "It's a big role for a freshman to step into but they have really been helping our midfield lines."

The defense will be anchored by a trio of upper classmen in Newby as well as juniors Kiara Lynch and Danielle Strang. Strang picked up seven ground balls last season and appeared in 14 games on the season. Lynch appeared in all 16 games making four starts while causing one turnover with four ground balls on the year.

Sophomore Lucy Loughlin steps into the starting goalie role this season. Loughlin appeared in six games during her freshman campaign, making ten saves in 83 minutes of action with a save percentage of .385. She will be backed up by freshman in Sarah Gallagher and sophomore Kendall Lupinek.

"We also have a couple sophomores stepping up, added Burnett. "Hailey Leicester and Lucy Loughlin who is our starting goalie have both made a big impact. They have all been making a big impact and are confident. We see big things for them in the future."

The Explorers welcome eight freshmen to the team this season and all will push for early playing time.

After a pair of road games at Temple and Delaware to open the season, La Salle opens their home slate on March 8 when they welcome Robert Morris for a 4 p.m. draw. The conference schedule features home games against St. Bonaventure, Saint Joseph's, George Mason and Duquesne with road trips to Davidson, VCU, Massachusetts, George Washington and Richmond.

The Atlantic 10 Championship will be hosted by Duquesne this season beginning on Friday May 6, with six teams earning a spot in the Championship as the top two teams earn a bye to the semifinals. 

Wednesday's matchup at Temple can be streamed live and live stats are available. Last season the Owls grabbed a narrow 9-7 win over La Salle at McCarthy Stadium.