ROCK HILL, SC – Coming off its most successful non-conference season in the program's three-year history, the Winthrop lacrosse team opens conference play Saturday afternoon at Presbyterian in search of the team's first-ever conference title.
The Eagles are currently 8-2 on the season and are coming off a strong 17-5 victory over Cincinnati just over a week ago.
Winthrop continues to be the top offensive team in the Big South and is ranked in the top 10 in the NCAA. The Eagles are averaging 15.4 goals per game which leads the Big South and is third in the country. They are outscoring their opponents by an average of 6.5 goals per game which is eighth in Division I.
In its three years as a Division I program, Winthrop has consistently ranked in the top tier of Division I in draw controls and continues that this year. It's 14.7 draws per game average leads the Big South and is sixth in the country.
Senior attacker Jenna Kasmarik has scored 40 goals this season, an average of 4.44 per contest which ranks her first in the Big South and first in Division I for goals per game. Junior Shannon Gallagher is second on the team with 21 goals this season and leads the team in assists with 12.
In goal for the Eagles, freshman Alaina Girani had a strong non-conference slate, allowing an average of 8.7 goals per game which ranks her second in the conference and 27th in the NCAA. She is averaging seven saves per game.
Presbyterian enters Saturday's contest with a 3-6 record and is looking for its fourth win in five contests. The Blue Hose are coming off a 19-12 victory over Delaware State last Saturday.
Junior Katy Richardson has led the Blue Hose this season offensively, having scored 19 goals including setting a school record with nine goals against Delaware State. Freshmen Claire Frase and Lauren Schaaf each have scored 11 goals this season.
Freshman Lee-Ann Salim has been the primary goalie for Presbyterian this season, recording all but one of the team's decisions this year. She is currently 2-5 with a .333 save percentage and has allowed an average of 13.5 goals per game this season.
The Eagles and Blue Hose have met twice before with Winthrop coming away with the victory both times. Winthrop downed Presbyterian 23-7 in 2014 and 21-12 in 2013.
Winthrop will return home for its home conference opener on Monday against conference newcomer Gardner-Webb. The Eagles and Bulldogs will square off in a 6 p.m. contest.
