FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The sixth-seeded Sacred Heart University women's lacrosse team is set to open the 2025 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Tournament on Friday, April 25, taking on seventh-seeded Quinnipiac in a highly anticipated first-round clash at Siena College.

Recent Action
Sacred Heart closed out the regular season with a pair of challenging contests, falling to both Fairfield and Iona in the final week of play.

Postseason Pedigree
The Pioneers are no strangers to postseason pressure. Under head coach Laura Korutz, Sacred Heart has made 14 Northeast Conference (NEC) Tournament appearances, capturing four titles (2008, 2009, 2010, 2023) and competing in four NCAA Tournaments. This year marks their first playoff appearance as a member of the MAAC.

Series History
Friday's matchup will mark the 15th meeting between SHU and Quinnipiac. The Pioneers lead the all-time series, 9–5, including two wins in the last four meetings. Earlier this season, SHU overcame a deficit to defeat the Bobcats, 14–11, led by a standout performance from Maggie Araneo, who netted a career-high six goals.

Scouting the Pioneers

• Sacred Heart enters the postseason with a 6–9 overall record and a 4–4 mark in conference play. 
• The Pioneers boast a balanced attack and a tenacious defense, which ranks within the top 15 in caused turnovers per game (15^th - 10.33) and scoring defense (12^th – 9.27).
• Sophomore Madelyn Breitbeil highlights the Pioneer defense, ranking 10th nationally in caused turnovers per game (2.47) and eighth in ground balls per game (3.27). 
• Defensively, Breitbeil been supported by fellow disruptors Maci Black and Aidan Carlson as well as goalkeeper Lisa Martin, who ranks 11^th with a 9.05 goals-against average. 
• On offense, Jamie Tanner has provided consistent scoring and playmaking throughout the season, tallying 12 multi-point performances, including a season-high five points against Stonehill, Manhattan, and Merrimack.  
• Maggie Araneo and Shae Insinga have added crucial depth and firepower to SHU's attack, combining for 52 goals, 10 assists, and 62 points. 

Scouting the Bobcats

• Quinnipiac wrapped up the regular season at 9–7 overall, also finishing 4–4 in MAAC play. 
• The Bobcats are anchored in goal by standout goalkeeper Shannon Alden, who ranks among the NCAA's best. She holds a .483 save percentage and averages 9.81 saves per game—ranking in the top 20 nationally across three major categories.
• On the offensive end, Quinnipiac leads the MAAC in scoring offense with an average of 13.38 goals per game. 
• EllaGrace Delmond has been the catalyst, tallying 46 goals and 10 assists for 56 points, good for second on the team.
• Leading the team offensively in points is Abby Wise, who has totaled 61 points behind 28 goals and 33 assists. 

MAAC TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Hosted by #3 and #4 Seeds in First and Second Rounds | Top Overall Seed in Semifinals and Championship Round

Game	First Round - Friday, April 25	Location	Time
1	No. 5 Niagara vs. No. 8 Rider	Iona University	12:00 p.m.
2	No. 6 Sacred Heart vs. No. 7 Quinnipiac	Siena College	12:00 p.m.
Game	Second Round - Sunday, April 27	Location	Time
3	No. 4 Iona vs. Winner Game 1	Iona University	12:00 p.m.
4	No. 3 Siena vs. Winner Game 2	Siena College	12:00 p.m.
Game	Semifinal Round - Friday, May 2	Location	Time
5	No. 1 Mount St. Mary's vs. TBD	Mount St. Mary's University	12:00 p.m.
6	No. 2 Fairfield vs. TBD	Mount St. Mary's University	4:00 p.m.
Game	Championship - Sunday, May 4	Location	Time
7	Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6	Mount St. Mary's University	11:00 a.m. (ESPNU)