Women’s Lacrosse Begins NE10 Slate at #20 Stonehill

Date	Tuesday, March 6, 2018 (3 p.m.)
Matchup	Merrimack (2-1, 0-0 NE10) #20 Stonehill (2-0, 1-0 NE10)
Venue	W.B. Mason Stadium // Easton, Mass.
Multimedia	Live Stats // Video
Social Media	@MerrimackWLAX // Instagram

 
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – The Merrimack College women's lacrosse team will return to action after a nine-day respite and open its Northeast-10 Conference slate with a Tuesday afternoon trip to 20^th-ranked Stonehill. First whistle from W.B. Mason Stadium is set for 3 p.m.

Inside the Series:

• Merrimack has not won against Stonehill dating back to at least the 2000 season, with the Skyhawks taking all 28 games played during that span.
• Over the last 10 years, the closest game played was a one-goal loss (11-10) at home in the 2011 season.
• Last year, Stonehill handed Merrimack a 15-11 setback at home.

Last Time Out:

• Merrimack topped the 20-goal threshold for the second time this young season in a 22-9 victory against St. Thomas Aquinas on Feb. 25.
• Five different players had three or more goals in a game that the Warriors led nearly in its entirety.
• Both junior Bridget Schofield (5g, 1a) and sophomore Ally DaCosta (3g, 3a) set career scoring highs with six-point outings. DaCosta had never had more than four points in a game before, while Schofield topped her previous single-game mark of five points.
• They were two of five Merrimack players to record hat tricks on the afternoon, joining junior Amber Feminella, sophomore Olivia Colletti and freshman Haley Bartlett, all of whom had three goals apiece. Junior Emma Bonassar netted another two, while senior captains Annette Ruggiero and Carly McKenna, along with rookie Catherine Mahanna also found the back of the net.
• The 22 goals were the most in a single game for Merrimack since a 23-2 win over American International back in the 2009 season.

Poll Watch:

• Merrimack's schedule features six opponents that are ranked in the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) preseason national rankings.
• The Warriors already faced Mercy (ranked 12^th when they played), and upcoming ranked opponents include Adelphi (#2), Le Moyne (4), New Haven (7), Pace (19) and Stonehill (20).

'Mack Facts:

• Merrimack enters Tuesday at 2-1 overall and is averaging 18.33 goals per game; it has topped the 20-goal threshold twice, and the 22 goals it scored against STAC were the most in a single game for Merrimack since a 23-2 win over American International back in the 2009 season..
• Junior Amber Feminella is one of three players in double-digit scoring figures and is averaging five points and just under five goals per game (14g, 1a); she also leads the NE10 in scoring. Behind her, junior Bridget Schofield (7g, 4a) and freshman Haley Bartlett (8g, 2a) are also off to strong starts.
• Eleven different Warriors have found the back of the net at least once this season with all of them having at least two goals.
• Sophomore Olivia Colletti leads the team with 10 draw controls, while freshman Kelsey Daly and sophomore Courtney Capobianco have caused three turnovers, the most on the team.
• Sophomore Tammy Nguyen has started every game in net for Merrimack and owns a .453 save percentage and a 9.67 goals against average.

Scouting Stonehill:

• Stonehill has won each of its first two games this season, including a 9-8 win at AIC and a 19-10 win at Molloy.
• The Skyhawks average 14 goals per game and have allowed an even nine goals per game so far.
• Sophomore Kaitlin Healey has 11 points on 10 goals and an assist to represent the top scorer for Stonehill, while five players have two or more goals for the Skyhawks.
• Healey also leads the team with seven draw controls, while senior Taylor Shannahan's 17 ground balls and nine caused turnovers are most among the Skyhawks.
• Sophomore Bailey Grant has started both games in net and owns a 9.00 GAA and a .486 SV%.

Inside the Matchup:

Merrimack (2-1, 1-0 NE10)	Category	#20 Stonehill (2-0, 1-0 NE10)
2/21 at #12 Mercy (L, 15-13) 2/25 at STAC (W, 22-9)	Recent Games	2/22 at AIC (W, 9-8) #3/3 at Molloy (W, 19-10
18.33	Scoring Offense	14.00
9.67	Scoring Defense	9.00
55-109 (18.33)	Goals-Shot Attempts (Pct.)	28-62 (45.2)
13-23 (56.5)	Free Positions Made-Att.	3-5 (.600)
62	Ground Balls	48
37	Draw Controls	22
37	Turnovers	37
16	Caused Turnovers	21
49-54 (.907)	Clears	40-44 (.909)

 
Up Next
Merrimack will play its first home game of the 2018 season when it hosts defending national champion Adelphi on Saturday (March 10), with first whistle set for 3:30 p.m.