Brockport, NY – The SUNY Brockport women's lacrosse team is on the road Wednesday for its first game of the season. Brockport takes on the University of Rochester for a 4 pm start. The squad is also on the road for a second time this week for a Saturday battle against #12 Denison at 1 pm.
 
Recent Schedule Change: Brockport was originally meant to open its season at home against Ithaca College last weekend. However, poor weather and field conditions led to a postponement of the contest. Keep an eye on the women's lacrosse schedule page on gobrockport.com for any further changes to the schedule this spring.
 
2021 Recap: The Golden Eagles finished the 2021 season 10-3 overall and 7-1 in SUNYAC competition, with a perfect 7-0 mark at home. After defeating Oneonta in the SUNYAC Semifinals, Brockport lost a close game, 15-13, to Cortland in the conference championship game. The team ranked inside the top 10 statistically in saves percentage, top 15 in assists per game, top 25 in the country in scoring offense, scoring margin, and points per game. The Green and Gold earned a program-record six players who were named IWLCA All-Region. Brockport also secured a program-record nine All-Conference selections, including six first-team nods and three second-team selections. Heather Conklin was voted the SUNYAC Offensive Player of the Year and Logan Hibbard won Rookie of the Year.
 
Preseason Polls: Brockport was featured in multiple preseason polls leading up to the spring season. In the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association Preseason Poll that came out towards the end of January, Brockport was voted in at No. 16 in the nation. Earlier in January, USA Lacrosse Magazine released a preseason poll that had Brockport ranked No. 15 in the country. Finally, in the SUNYAC Women's Lacrosse Preseason Poll, voted on by the conference coaches, Brockport was picked as the favorite to win the SUNYAC.
 
Key Returners: Heading into the 2022 regular season, the Golden Eagles are fortunate to be returning five all-conference players from last year's roster. Morgan Elmer is back in net for the team after being named IWLCA All-American Third-Team, First-Team All-Region, and First-Team All-Conference last season. She led the conference with 123 saves, a 56.2% saves percentage, and was second with 33 ground balls. Courtney Cunningham was named First-Team All-Conference and Second-Team All-Region after tallying 19 points on 13 goals and six assists in 2021. The reigning SUNYAC Rookie of the Year, Logan Hibbard is back after totaling 33 points, 22 goals, and 18 caused turnovers last season. She was named First-Team All-Conference and Second-Team All-Region. Allison Jennings was a Second-Team All-Conference selection after scoring 39 goals and 54 total points last season. Jennings is back for another season to build upon her successful career. Cassidy Burnash is also returning for another go around after earning Second-Team All-Conference in 2021 as a sophomore. She finished the year with 35 goals and 43 total points for the Green and Gold.
 
New Faces: While Brockport is returning 14 players from last year's roster, the team is also welcoming seven new faces. Claire Odett comes to the squad as a junior midfielder, while sophomore Paige Thowe is also new to the team's backline as a defender. The incoming freshman class is made up of attackers Alayna Foos and Ashley Hershfield, defenders Elizabeth Clark and Devin Tietjen, and midfielder Taylor Ford. Keep an eye out for which additions to the team steps up big for the Green and Gold in 2022.
 
Wagner Still in Control: Head Coach Stephen Wagner is heading into his 11^th year as the leader of the Golden Eagles this spring. With a record of 110-50 at the helm, Wagner has led the team to six SUNYAC Finals appearances (2012, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021), three NCAA Tournament appearances (2016, 2017, 2019), and the program's first conference championship (2019). Under his guidance Brockport has made the conference tournament each season since he took over in 2012. The three-time SUNYAC Coach of the Year looks to continue to build upon his success with the program in 2022. He looks to bring the Golden Eagles to their sixth straight appearance in the SUNYAC Finals this season.
 
Looking at U of R: The University of Rochester Yellowjackets is entering Wednesday's contest with a 1-0 record after the season opener. They defeated D'Youville College on the road, 18-6, to get 2022 started on the right note. With five goals in the game, #23 Gracie Giannettino led the way. #31 Hannah Goldberg had a team-high six points from her four goals and two assists. #13 Grace Crochiere also had four goals, while goalie #36 Ava Saffren made six saves in the win. U of R dominated the draw control battle, 22-5, and outshot D'Youville 36-19 on the day. It has been nearly a decade since Brockport and the University of Rochester faced off, as the last matchup in 2012 resulted in a 23-2 win for Brockport.
 
Taking on #12 Denison: The Denison Big Red are next for the Golden Eagles, as the two teams face off on Saturday in a battle of two top 20 programs in the country. Denison is currently 1-1 this season, with its one loss coming against #9 Gettysburg College last weekend. Just two games in, #3 Casey McTague has already tallied nine goals for the Big Red. #4 Jane Bailey has six points on four goals and two assists and #35 Maeve Caldwell has come up with 12 saves in her two starts in net. Since 2016, Brockport has gone 5-0 against Denison in head to head matchups. The last two games have been decided by two or less goals, with Brockport taking wins of 16-15 (2019) and 14-12 (2020).
 
Coming Up: The Golden Eagles are on the road yet again for their next outing, as they head over to Nazareth College. They head across town on Wednesday, March 9^th for a 4 pm start.