OPENING DRAW
After having a challenging start to the season in which the Raiders faced three nationally-ranked teams, Colgate heads on its annual Spring Break trip. Instead of going west like last year, the Raiders head south and will open their Patriot League schedule at American Saturday afternoon. Colgate will remain in “The District” for a few more days and will play at George Mason Tuesday.
LEAGUE OPENERS
Colgate is 5-1 in its last six league openers. Last year, the Raiders downed American 18-6 at Tyler's Field, March 7, 2009. Colgate's last loss in its league opener was to the Eagles, a 15-10 decision in Washington, D.C. back in 2007.
THE PROGRAM
Colgate started its women's lacrosse program in 1974. Since its inception, it has posted a 315-217-4 overall record; won four Patriot League titles and advanced to the NCAA Tournament four times as well. The Raiders posted their 300th victory in the program's history with a 19-18 victory over Marist in a 2008 NCAA Tournament Play-in Game. Colgate notched a 17-4 record in the 1979 season, which stands as the most wins in a single season. The 2009 squad finished with a 14-5 overall mark, which set a school record for wins in a single season during the Division I era.
THE HEAD COACH
Heather Young, the 2009 Patriot League Coach of the Year, enters her fourth year at the helm of the Colgate program. Since being named the head coach prior to the 2007 season, she has piloted the program to a 32-31 record; back-to-back Patriot League titles and NCAA Tournament berths. In 2009, her squad defeated Navy 17-4 in the Patriot League title game and eventually finished 14-5 overall. The Raiders ranked among the nation's top 10 as a defensive unit as well as boasting a top 15 scoring offense. In her three-years in Hamilton, Colgate has had 16 all-league selections – nine first team and seven second team mentions; two second team all-region honorees, as well as the 2009 Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year – Maddie Kearns. Young has a career record of 47-62, which includes a three-year stint at Davidson.
LAST TIME OUT
Meghan Lawler scored three goals and dished out three assists while Katie Sullivan scored a career high three goals, but it wasn't enough as 19th-ranked New Hampshire downed Colgate 16-11, last Saturday at Memorial Field in Durham, N.H. The Raiders trailed 6-1 early, but pulled within 6-4 at intermission. Colgate closed to within one score twice in the second half, but couldn't get the equalizer. UNH broke open a three-goal game by netting four in the span of 89 seconds. Christina Roa made 15 saves in net for the Raiders.
COLGATE AT A GLIMPSE
Colgate enters this week of play sporting a 1-4 record, including a most recent 16-11 loss at #19 New Hampshire. The other three losses have come either against nationally-ranked opponents in then sixth-ranked Syracuse (17-5) and 14th-ranked Penn State (17-7), or a squad receiving votes – Cornell (10-9). The offense revolves around three players at this juncture of the season. Senior Meghan Lawler (7-14-21) is off to a hot start, as is sophomore Courtney Miller (10-1-11). After sitting out the season opener at Stony Brook, junior Colleen Bubnack (7-6-13) has picked up from where she left off in 2009. Sophomore Katie Sullivan (6-1-7) has six points in her last two performances, five coming on goals. Sophomore netminder Christina Roa (1-4, 54 saves) has played every minute in net, absent 2:26 thus far.
ALL-TIME VERSUS AMERICAN
Saturday's meeting will be the 13th between the two schools with Colgate holding an 8-4 advantage. The Raiders have won the last two clashes, including a convincing 18-6 victory last season. Colgate outscored the Eagles 10-3 in the second half en route to the victory. Meghan Lawler posted five goals and two assists, while Colleen Bubnack had a five-point performance on two goals and three assists. Then freshman Courtney Miller tallied her second consecutive three-goal performance. The previous win came in the 2008 Patriot League title game where the Raiders avenged a regular-season loss to American with a 12-8 victory in Washington D.C. to advance to the NCAA Tournament play-in game.
AMERICAN IN BRIEF
After dropping its first three contests of the season, American has recovered to win two of the next three, including a 12-10 victory over Old Dominion, March 6. The Eagles' other victory was a 14-10 result at Stony Brook. That is the lone common opponent to date between American and Colgate. The Eagles' offense is paced by Amanda Makoid (11-3-14) and Lauren Schoenberger (8-6-14). Kaska Komosinski (2-2, 29 saves) has played the majority of minutes in net.
ALL-TIME SCORING VERSUS AMERICAN
Six current Raiders have scored at least one point in their collegiate careers versus American. Senior Meghan Lawler (10-3-13) has had solid success against the Eagles as has junior Colleen Bubnack (6-4-10). Rounding out the scoring includes Kate Bergstrom (3-0-3), Courtney Miller (3-0-3), Greer Goebels (1-0-1), and Kailey Krause (0-1-1).
SERIES VERSUS GEORGE MASON
The game played on March 16 in Fairfax, Va., will be the third ever meeting between Colgate and George Mason with the Raiders holding the 2-0 advantage, The two schools played in consecutive seasons back in 1994 and 1995, both in Virginia. Colgate prevailed 18-5 in the first clash and then posted a 10-8 victory the following year.
GMU IN BRIEF
The Patriots head into the March 16th match-up sporting a 2-3 overall mark. George Mason dropped a 16-4 decision to second ranked Maryland, March 9 at George Mason Stadium. The Patriots' victories have come against George Washington (9-7) and Virginia Tech (11-7). Madalyn Jamison (7-12-19) is the top point producer for GMU at this juncture, while Emily Ellisen (12-1-13) is the leading goal scorer. Sara Longobucco (2-2, 50 saves) made 18 saves in the loss to the Terrapins.
IN THE CREASE
Christina Roa saved 15 shots in the loss at 19th-ranked New Hampshire. It marked the third time this season she posted 10 or more saves. In the season opener, Roa stopped 12 in the 10-9 victory over Stony Brook. She saved 11 against sixth-ranked Syracuse in the second game of the year. Last year, she stopped a personal best 19 in a loss to Lehigh on April 18. That total is tied for the 10th best in a single game at Colgate. Roa ranks eighth in the country in total saves (54) and is 15th in saves per game.
QUICK DRAW
Junior Colleen Bubnack is only four draw controls away from becoming the all-time career leader at Colgate. In her last outing at UNH, she moved by Jessica Van Der Meulen for third and heads into the game at American with 105, only one behind Tara Casey for second. Current assistant coach Heidi Ross holds the school record for now with 108. Bubnack has the top two single-season bests in draw controls including setting a school record 50 in the 2008 season.
LENDING A HELPING HAND
With her three helpers at New Hampshire, Meghan Lawler surpassed both Angela Chongris and Kara Keenan and tied Kelly Winning with 56 for fifth on the all-time assist list at Colgate. The senior needs three more helpers to move by Katie McVeigh and Cindy Healey for third. In the most recent national statistics rankings, Lawler is tied for fourth with 14 assists and is sixth in assists per game (2.80). Colleen Bubnack has 49 assists in her career, which ranks ninth.
TOP 10 SCORER
With her six-point performance at New Hampshire, Meghan Lawler moved within 17 points of overtaking Kara Keenan for ninth on the all-time point list. She moved into 10th with a five point effort in the home opener versus Cornell passing former teammate Ashley Didio. The senior has 98 goals and 56 assists for 154 points. She needs 14 more goals to move into the top 10 in that category at Colgate. Her 21 points on the year is tied for 21st nationally and her points per game average (4.20) is tied for 32nd.
PRESEASON TOP DOGS
Colgate received seven first place votes en route to being tabbed as the preseason pick to win the Patriot League once again. The Raiders collected 66 points in the poll to outdistance Navy and Lehigh by seven points. The Midshipmen and Mountain Hawks tied for second with 59, while Bucknell checked in with 40.
