Women's Lacrosse | February 11, 2022

PHILADELPHIA – The wait is finally over for La Salle women's lacrosse, as they will officially open their season on Saturday, Feb. 12 at 1 p.m. against Iona at McCarthy Stadium.
 
Saturday's opener marks the start of the fourth season under head coach Katie Rhodes Abbott, and will serve as the debut for the Explorers' nine-member freshmen class.
 
SCOUTING THE EXPLORERS:

• The Explorers finished with a record of 5-9 in 2021, including conference wins over St. Bonaventure (2x) and Duquesne.
• La Salle held a home record of 4-3 a season ago, and will open with their first two games of the season at McCarthy Stadium.
• Three fifth-year players will utilize their extra year of eligibility for the Explorers in defender Jess Hewitt, midfielder Emily Johnston, and attacker Maddie Dachowski.
• A member of the Atlantic 10 All-Conference second team in 2021, Johnston earned a spot on the Preseason All-Conference Team in 2022. The Ridley, Pa. native led the Explorers while ranking fourth in the conference in ground balls (36) and caused turnovers (18), while finishing second on the team with 30 goals and 36 points.
• Also returning is junior Tori Rolon, who notched 11 goals and 13 points in her sophomore season a year ago.
• The Explorers averaged 11.64 goals per game in 2021, while ranking fourth in the A-10 with a shot percentage of .443 in 14 games.

 
SCOUTING THE GAELS:

• Iona was picked to finish ninth in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) preseason poll.
• The Gaels finished 1-11 in 2021, picking up a win over Quinnipiac.
• Iona's leading goal scorer in 2021 returns in Emily Stewert, who totaled 19 goals in just 10 games and eight starts as a sophomore.
• Iona will not return a goalkeeper who logged any minutes for the Gaels last season.