Women's Lacrosse | April 19, 2019
PITTSBURGH – Women's lacrosse travels to Duquesne for the final game of the regular season on Saturday. The result will determine the Explorers' chances of a place in the A-10 Championships. If they win, they become the fifth seed; if they lose and both VCU and George Washington are defeated, La Salle becomes the sixth seed, holding tiebreakers over the latter two schools. The match can be streamed on ESPN+.
ABOUT THE EXPLORERS
- Duking it out: La Salle has won its previous two games against Duquesne. The last time they defeated the Dukes in Pittsburgh was 2017, which was also the last year that the Explorers made the postseason.
- La Salle is anchored by sophomore goalkeeper Molly Loughlin who ranks near the top of the A-10 in most statistical categories. She is first in save percentage (48.9%) among goalies who have started at least 10 games, second in saves (161) and third in goals against average (12.08) among goalies who have played a minimum of 800 minutes.
- On the offensive end, the Explorers are paced by sophomores Bridget Ruskey and Maddie Dachowski. With one game remaining, Ruskey is seven points shy of 50 with 32 goals and 11 assists. Dachowski sits behind her with 38 points (29 goals, nine assists).
- Minding the midfield: Ruskey has a healthy lead in the draw control department with 48 this season. Senior Courtney Shoults paces La Salle in caused turnovers with 20, followed by sophomore Priya Kavuru at 19.
SCOUTING DUQUESNE
- The Dukes stand at 3-5 in the conference, level with La Salle, having lost to VCU and defeated George Washington.
- Duquesne has three players above the 40-point threshold this season, led by sophomore Michaela Connolly on 53 (30 goals, 23 assists). The Dukes biggest threat in front of goal is junior Rilee Bradshaw, second in the conference with 48 goals, and 52 points overall. Rounding out the group is junior Maddie Hart with 49 points (41 goals, eight assists).
- In goal, junior Maddy Curtis has recorded 110 saves this season with a 34.3% save percentage and 14.06 goals against average.
