Conshohocken, PA – The La Salle field hockey team will usher in a new era on Sunday, as the Explorers open the Mackenzie Allessie era at their new home, The Proving Grounds, against City 6 rival Villanova.
Allessie was hired by the Explorers in January after spending two seasons as the head coach at Saint Francis. During her time with the Red Flash, she led the program to its most successful two-year stretch in history, compiling a 24-13 record. Joining Allessie in her first season at the helm will be Haley Connor, a four-year Saint Francis athlete and former graduate assistant who will serve as an assistant coach.
The Explorers enter the season looking to build off a 7-11 campaign a year ago under Michael Warari, narrowly missing the Atlantic 10 playoffs for the second consecutive season. La Salle returns much of its offensive production from a season ago, led by rising senior Daran DeLeo, who paced the team with six goals and 14 points. Overall, the Explorers return more than 76 percent of their scoring output from last season.
On the defensive end, La Salle brings back goalkeeper Abby Boggs, who ranked second in the Atlantic 10 and ninth nationally in saves last season. Rising sophomore Janne Zillessen also returns after making an immediate impact defensively as a freshman, recording seven defensive saves in just 12 games, the most by an Explorer since 2018.
Sunday's matchup marks the latest chapter in a City 6 rivalry that saw Villanova claim a 3-0 victory over the Explorers last season. La Salle, however, earned the upper hand in a previous meeting in 2023, defeating the Wildcats, 4-3, behind goals from four different scorers.
Villanova enters Sunday's contest at 1-0 after opening its 2026 campaign with a 2-1 victory over Delaware on Friday. Colleen Finnegan, who found the back of the cage against La Salle last season, and Ava Borkowski each scored in the season-opening win. The Wildcats finished 5-13 a season ago, including a 3-4 mark in conference play.
