Xavier Welcomes Gardner-Webb for Home Opener on Thursday

Thursday, March 13

Cincinnati, Ohio

12 p.m.

Xavier University

Gardner-Webb

Xavier Welcomes Gardner-Webb for Home Opener on Thursday

03.12.25 | Women's Lacrosse

The Musketeers start a four-game home stretch.

By: Abbey Curtis, Xavier Athletic Communications

CINCINNATI - The Xavier lacrosse team opens the home slate with Gardner-Webb on Thursday. First draw is set for 12:00 p.m. at Corcoran Field

Xavier is currently 0-5 (0-0 BIG EAST) while the Runnin' Bulldogs are 0-7 (0-0 Big South).

game information

MARCH 13 | 12:00 PM
Xavier Musketeers (0-5, 0-0 BIG EAST) vs. Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs (0-7, 0-0 Patriot)
Live Stats - bit.ly/3Fq5W2P

last time out

Samantha Balara scored a season-high two goals in the Musketeers' loss to USF on Sunday afternoon.
Lola Mancuso contributed one goal and four draw controls to extend her scoring streak through all five games this season.
Julie Cassidy has also scored in every game this season, including one on Sunday to go along with two ground balls.
Colby Wasson led the team with five ground balls for the third time this season.
Teegan Lannon registered a season-high 11 saves in goal, just one shy of her career best.

about the musketeers

Wasson continues to lead the country with 4.20 ground balls per game and has a team-high 21 on the season.
Mancuso leads the team with 15 points and 13 goals after the first five games of the season.
Morgan Handzel's 8.20 draw controls per game ranks 14th in the NCAA.
Xavier leads all opponents in draw controls 79-58.
The Musketeers combined for 14 saves against USF for the second time this season, the most by any BIG EAST team.

scouting the runnin' bulldogs

Gardner-Webb was picked to finish ninth in the Big South preseason poll.
Emma Duchscherer leads the team with 11 goals and 13 points.
Emma Anderson has recorded a team-high 13 ground balls.
Abby Consul leads the Runnin' Bulldogs with 18 caused turnovers along with 12 ground balls.
This is the first meeting between Xavier and Gardner-Webb.

2025 schedule

The Musketeers were picked to finish seventh in the BIG EAST preseason poll.
Xavier will face Duke, Bucknell, South Florida and Gardner-Webb for the first time in program history.
The Musketeers will face opponents from six conferences outside of the BIG EAST.
Xavier faces two teams who reached the NCAA Tournament last season, including Duke and BIG EAST foe Denver.
Denver was ranked No. 23 in the IWLCA Preseason Poll while Duke checked in at No. 25.
XU opens the home slate on March 13 against Gardner-Webb.
BIG EAST play begins on March 23 when Xavier hosts reigning champion Denver at Corcoran Field.
Xavier will travel to Butler on April 26 for the final game of BIG EAST regular season play.
The 2025 BIG EAST Women's Lacrosse Tournament will be hosted by Villanova from May 1-3, welcoming the top four teams in the final standings.

big east preseason poll

BIG EAST Preseason Poll
(First Place Votes)

Denver (5) 35 pts
UConn (1) 31
Villanova (1) 24
Georgetown 22
Marquette 18
Butler 11
Xavier 6

BIG EAST Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Meg Bireley, Marquette, Sr., A

BIG EAST Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Riley Daly, UConn, Sr., D

Preseason All-BIG EAST Team^
Abby Beran, UConn, So., D*
Riley Daly, UConn, Sr., D*
Rayea Davis, UConn, R-Jr., A*
Lauren Black, Denver, Sr., A
Emelia Bohi, Denver, Sr., GK
Caroline Colimore, Denver, Sr., M*
Ryan Dineen, Denver, Jr., A
Megan Klingenberg, Denver, Jr., D
Lily Athanas, Georgetown, Sr., D
Gracie Driggs, Georgetown, Jr., A
Maley Starr, Georgetown, Sr., M*
Meg Bireley, Marquette, Sr., A*
Tess Osburn, Marquette, Jr., A
Mary Moore, Villanova, So., M*
Sydney Pappas, Villanova, Sr., A*
Maddy Stoddard, Villanova, Sr., D
Emma Verhoest, Villanova, So., DS*

*denotes unanimous selection
^ extra player added due to tie in voting