Brockport, NY – The Brockport Women's Lacrosse team will begin the 2021 season this weekend, as it travels to take on the Ithaca College Bombers. The season opener is scheduled for Saturday, March 20^th at 4 pm.
 
Introduction to Divisional Play: As the SUNYAC Conference adjusts to its COVID-19 Protocols, the conference will be split into two divisions for the 2021 season. The Western Division will include Brockport, Buffalo State, Fredonia, Geneseo, and Oswego. The Eastern Division is made up Cortland, New Paltz, Oneonta, Plattsburgh, and Potsdam. Each team will play each other twice within the division to determine the top two teams from each division, who will make the SUNYAC Tournament. The official standings of each division can be found on the SUNYAC website's page: https://sunyacsports.com/sports/wlax/2020-21/standings.
 
Wagner at the Helm: Head Coach Stephen Wagner is back for his 10^th season with the Golden Eagles for 2021. Before the 2020 season was shutdown, Wagner recorded his 100^th win as Brockport's Head Coach with an 11-9 victory over Clarkson University. During his time here, he has led the team to five SUNYAC Finals appearances, including earning the program's first ever conference championship in 2019. Brockport is 6-3 in season openers since Wagner took over the program.
 
Nationally Ranked: In the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coach's Association's most recent poll, Brockport is currently ranked 13^th in the nation heading into the season opener. The nationally ranked Golden Eagles will get a strong test to start their 2021 campaign, as Ithaca College is ranked 12^th according to the IWLCA. This will mark the second year in a row the team is ranked going into the season, and the third straight year opening the season against a nationally ranked opponent.
 
Still the Reigning Champs: The Green and Gold won its first ever SUNYAC Championship in 2019 and due to the 2020 season being canceled prior to the tournament, Brockport is still the reigning conference champions. The 2021 squad looks to continue the program's recent success, and is ready to defend its title.
 
Conklin is Back: Heather Conklin is back for another go around with the Golden Eagles, as she looks to rewrite the record books some more. Conklin is currently fifth in program history with 208 career points and is third in history with 167 career goals. She is 18 goals away from becoming the team's all-time leading goal scorer. In only three games of action in 2020, Heather put up a team-high 15 points on 11 goals and four assists.
 
Other Key Returners: Former SUNYAC Rookie of the Year, Allison Jennings, returns for Brockport after she scored five goals throughout the three games played in 2020. Natalie Strough is another key piece returning for the Green and Gold. Although the season shutdown interrupted her freshman season, Strough showed tremendous promise putting up eight points on six goals and two assists in three games. Lyndsie Pratt and Courtney Cunningham are back in a big way for Brockport as the two combined for 21 ground balls, 19 draw controls, and eight caused turnovers in just three games in 2020.
 
Elmer in Net: Morgan Elmer returns to her spot in net as a junior this season, holding a career record of 17-6 as a starter for the Golden Eagles. As a freshman she went 15-5, setting the program's single season record for wins as a goalie. Going 2-1 in 2020 prior to the season shutdown, Elmer came up with 40 saves for the team and scooped up 10 ground balls.
 
Newcomers: Brockport has added eight new members to the squad with its incoming freshman class. The first-year players include: Alexandria Emery, Clare Barrett, Victoria Pohrte, Luciana Lee, Alexandria VanDerKar, Julia Quinlan, Kassidi Kirkpatrick, and Logan Hibbard.
 
Follow Along: With fan restrictions still in place, other options are available so fans do not miss any of the action this season. Below are links to Brockport Women's Lacrosse live statistics and live broadcast for Saturday's game. Links can also be found on the women's lacrosse schedule webpage on the official Brockport Athletic website.
 
Live Stats: https://athletics.ithaca.edu/sidearmstats/wlax/summary
Live Broadcast: https://athletics.ithaca.edu/watch/?Live=40&type=Live
 
Looking at the Schedule: #13 Brockport gets its start on the road this weekend before SUNYAC Divisional play begins. The team will face Geneseo on March 24^th, before hosting Oswego on March 27^th for the first home game of the season. Two games away from home are next on the schedule, leading into the final stretch of the season where the Green and Gold play four of its last five games at home. This all leads up to the SUNYAC Tournament, which is currently slated to start on Thursday, April 29^th.
 
Up Next: The Golden Eagles will open up SUNYAC Divisional play following their season opener. They will travel to take on Geneseo on Wednesday, March 24^th for a 4 pm time slot.