ROCK HILL, SC – The Winthrop lacrosse program will open its eighth year of competition Saturday afternoon, hosting Old Dominion, before welcoming Fresno State on Monday morning.
 

Game 1: Winthrop (0-0) vs. Old Dominion  (1-1)
Date	Saturday, February 15 | 1:00 p.m.
Location	Rock Hill, S.C. | Eagle Field
Live Stats	Stat Broadcast (click here)
Live Stream	None

 

Game 2: Winthrop (0-1) vs. Fresno State (0-1)
Date	Monday, February 17 | 11:00 a.m.
Location	Rock Hill, SC | Eagle Field
Live Stats	StatBroadcast (click here)
Live Stream	ESPN+ (click here)

 
WINTHROP AT A GLANCE
Winthrop is coming off an 8-11 overall season and its second consecutive trip to the Big South Conference championship. The Eagles welcome 10 newcomers; nine freshman and sophomore transfer from Butler, Hannah Justice. They return five starters this season.

Redshirt junior Bianca Tedesco will return from injury this season and serve as a team captain alongside McKenna Blick and Olivia Deaver. Blick was named to the Big South Lacrosse Preseason All-Conference Team after starting all 18 games in 2019, finishing second on the team in total points, with 37 goals and 13 assists. She also earned All-Big South Tournament honors for her efforts throughout the tournament. Deaver is a returning starter who notched 11 goals, 13 assists and 24 points in 2019.

Mia Creighton is set for a big sophomore campaign. Creighton is the reigning Big South Conference Freshman of the Year. She started all 18 games and finished the 2019 season leading all freshmen with 42 goals. The attacker earned Second-Team honors in 2019 and was named to the Big South Lacrosse Preseason All-Conference Team.

The Eagles were ranked second in the Big South preseason poll and are led by Julika Blankenship who was named head coach in June 2016.

SCOUTING OLD DOMINION
The Monarchs are coming off their first season as a BIG EAST conference member. They finished with an overall record of 4-13, 1-5 in conference play. Senior Glory Johnson is coming off a 53-goal season, a team season-high, and was named to the preseason All-BIG EAST team. She, as well as Mary Katherine Maloney and Anna Davis will serve as team captains. Lilly Siskind is coming off a successful freshman season, leading the team with 14 assists. Siskind also notched 11 goals. The Monarchs welcome seven freshman to their roster this season, as well as transfer goalie from Bryant University, Brianna Blatter. ODU was ranked fifth in the conference preseason poll and are led by Heather Holt, who is entering her ninth season at the helm of ODU lacrosse.
 
SCOUTING FRESNO STATE
Fresno State posted a 7-7 overall record in 2019 and return key pieces to their team. Sydney Skalstad is back for her sophomore campaign after leading the team with 33 goals, 89 shots and 51 draw controls. She was named Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Rookie of the Year. In her junior season, Kayla Galet was ranked fourth in the nation with her 62 percent shooting percentage. Goalie Laurel Maunder notched a career-high 181 saves in 2019, becoming the Fresno State saves leader with 454 in her career. Maunder finished the season No. 2 in the NCAA averaging 12.93 saves per game. Fresno welcomes 10 freshman to the squad this season. The Bulldogs are led by interim head coach Kara Concheck.

ALL-TIME AGAINST OLD DOMINION
The Eagles and Monarchs have only met once in history before Saturday's contest. During the 2019 season, Winthrop traveled to Norfolk, V.A. and loss to ODU, 11-10. Lauren Morris led the team with four goals.

ALL-TIME AGAINST FRESNO STATE
The Eagles and Bulldogs will meet for the third time in history on Monday morning. Winthrop currently holds a 2-0 series lead. These teams met for the first time on March 8, 2013 at Peter Barton Stadium in Denver, C.O., where the Eagles won, 17-10. On March 15, 2015, Winthrop traveled to Fresno, C.A. and left with a 17-6 victory.

WHAT'S UP NEXT
Winthrop will remain at home for its next contest. The Eagles will welcome Cal Berkley to Eagle Field on Sunday, February 23.