Women's Lacrosse Preview: Sage

Chris Kendrick (@CKendrick86)

CHICOPEE, Mass. – The Elms College women's lacrosse squad will look for their first victory of the season as they travel to Sage College on Thursday for a 5:00 p.m. game at John Fallon Field at the University of Albany.

The Blazers are off to a 0-3 start on the year after falling to Wentworth in their 2015 home opener, 15-9. Elms has registered 13 goals on 41 this season, while opponents have converted on 45 of 67 chances. Nine players have recorded points for the Blazers, led by a team-high four goals from junior attacker Ashley Cava (Wilbraham, Mass.). Junior attacker Jillian Pirog (Ludlow, Mass.) has notched three goals on a team-high nine shots, while freshman Victoria-Lynn Smith (Somers, Conn.) has added a pair of goals. Senior attacker Nora McDonough (South Hadley, Mass.) has dished out a team-high three assists. Senior Kayla Narey (South Hadley, Mass.), and freshmen Jackie Soucia (Belchertown, Mass.), Alissa Porfilio (Agawam, Mass.), and Madison Jung (Stafford Springs, Conn.) have added a goal apiece. Freshman attacker Savana Hennessey (Chicopee, Mass.) tallied her first career point with an assist in the loss to Wentworth.

Sage sits a 0-1 on the loss, dropping their season opener, 20-2, to SUNY-Poly last Tuesday. The Gators are returning five players from 4-8 squad last season, and welcoming 14 newcomers in 2015. Graduate attacker Shirah Fudin (Delmar, N.Y.) scored both goals for the Gators in the loss at SUNY-Poly. Sophomore attacker Monica Koralus (Verbank, N.Y.) returns after a 20-point rookie campaign, scoring 15 goals with five assists.  Fudin registered 12 goals and an assist last season, while sophomore goalkeeper Jackie St. Pierre (Averill Park, N.Y.) will return between the pipes for the Gators after finishing with 133 saves, a 14.16 goals-against-average, and a 46.3 save percentage.

Over the history of the matchup, the Gators have taken two of three career meetings with the Blazers. Sage won the first game in 2012 (19-13), but Elms edged Sage, 18-16, in 2013. The Gators took last year's contest 19-13 in the Blazers 2014 home opener.

ELMS LACROSSE