Women’s Lacrosse Opens Up 2022 Slate on Saturday
2/18/2022 3:51:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
Pioneers begin the season at Yale
FAIRFIELD, Conn.— The Sacred Heart University Women's Lacrosse team opens up the season at Yale on Saturday at 3 p.m. After missing out on a spot in the 2021 conference tournament, the Pioneers is eager to begin the 2022 season.
"There was a lot of growth last season," said head coach Laura Korutz. "It renewed their energy and excitement and really pushed them in the offseason. In the fall they really worked to get much stronger because we were so close to earning a spot in the NEC tournament."
The league coaches think the Pioneers will be knocking on the door of the playoffs. The Pioneers were selected fifth in the Northeast Conference Preseason Coaches Poll. SHU is looking for it first tournament appearance since 2017.
One of the Pioneers' keys is to be a threat and produce on the offensive end. Korutz expects to see more offensive output from her squad or as she calls it, "seven strong."
Sacred Heart returns an outstanding group of experienced players from last season including two of its leading scorers in Lydia Werlau and Grace Reinold. Werlau was second with 38 points on 31 goals and seven assists, while Reinold tallied 36 points off 27 goals and nine assists.
On the defensive end, the Pioneers will have back the team of Claire McElhenny and Natalie Cook. The duo combined for 60 ground balls and 27 caused turnovers. McElhenny, who was selected Second-Team All-NEC, was also second on the team with 37 draw controls.
In goal, Sacred Heart will have another Second-Team All-NEC member in goalkeeper Bella Beaton. The junior tallied 133 saves, ranking her third in the NEC, while earning six contest victories.
"I'm more looking forward to the team as a whole and what they can do as a group," stated Korutz. "It's nice to get back into having those non-conference games to get us prepared for the conference portion of our season."
SHU plays 10 of its contests at home, including a five-game stretch that starts February 23 against Quinnipiac. The Pioneers open NEC action March 30 against Bryant.
"There was a lot of growth last season," said head coach Laura Korutz. "It renewed their energy and excitement and really pushed them in the offseason. In the fall they really worked to get much stronger because we were so close to earning a spot in the NEC tournament."
The league coaches think the Pioneers will be knocking on the door of the playoffs. The Pioneers were selected fifth in the Northeast Conference Preseason Coaches Poll. SHU is looking for it first tournament appearance since 2017.
One of the Pioneers' keys is to be a threat and produce on the offensive end. Korutz expects to see more offensive output from her squad or as she calls it, "seven strong."
Sacred Heart returns an outstanding group of experienced players from last season including two of its leading scorers in Lydia Werlau and Grace Reinold. Werlau was second with 38 points on 31 goals and seven assists, while Reinold tallied 36 points off 27 goals and nine assists.
On the defensive end, the Pioneers will have back the team of Claire McElhenny and Natalie Cook. The duo combined for 60 ground balls and 27 caused turnovers. McElhenny, who was selected Second-Team All-NEC, was also second on the team with 37 draw controls.
In goal, Sacred Heart will have another Second-Team All-NEC member in goalkeeper Bella Beaton. The junior tallied 133 saves, ranking her third in the NEC, while earning six contest victories.
"I'm more looking forward to the team as a whole and what they can do as a group," stated Korutz. "It's nice to get back into having those non-conference games to get us prepared for the conference portion of our season."
SHU plays 10 of its contests at home, including a five-game stretch that starts February 23 against Quinnipiac. The Pioneers open NEC action March 30 against Bryant.
Players Mentioned
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