Musketeers Open Conference Play with No. 24 Denver

CINCINNATI - The Xavier women's lacrosse team is set to host No. 24 Denver on Sunday morning in the BIG EAST opener. First draw is set for 11:00 a.m. at Corcoran Field.

The Musketeers are currently 1-7 ahead of the start of conference play while the nationally ranked Pioneers enter the weekend with a 5-4 record.

game information

MARCH 23 | 11:00 AM

Xavier Musketeers (1-6, 0-0 BIG EAST) vs. Denver Pioneers (5-4, 0-0 BIG EAST)
Watch - bit.ly/3Fznmdk
Live Stats - bit.ly/4bQn1iD

last time out

Lola Mancuso led the team with three goals for her 18th career hat trick against Louisville on Thursday night.
Jada Brandon recorded a season-high six saves in her 45 minutes in goal.
Megan Droney contributed a goal and an assist.
Morgan Handzel had three draw controls and one caused turnover.

about the musketeers

Lola Mancuso has scored in all eight games this season, recording a hat trick in her last three straight outings.
Morgan Handzel became the all-time draw control leader just seven games into her rookie season, currently with 70 on the season. She ranks 13th in the nation with 8.75 draw controls per game.
The Musketeers rank 21st in the NCAA with a .576 draw control percentage and 23rd for 15.62 draws per game.
Xavier averages 19.00 ground balls per game, good for 14th in the country and the most of any BIG EAST team.
Mancuso's 3.50 goals per game ranks 21st in the nation and 2nd among BIG EAST players.
Teegan Lannon was named the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week and Morgan Handzel was named the Freshman of the Week after the Musketeers' 1-1 opening weekend at home.

scouting the pioneers

The Pioneers are currently ranked No. 24 in the latest IWLCA poll and are coming off of a loss to No. 18 Stony Brook.
Denver was picked to finish first in the BIG EAST Preseason Poll after their fourth consecutive BIG EAST Championship title last season.
Attackers Lauren Black and Ryan Dineen, midfielder Caroline Colimore, defender Megan Klingenberg and goalkeeper Emelia Bohi were all named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team.
The Pioneers reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season before falling to eventual runner-up Northwestern.
This will be just the second meeting between Xavier and Denver after last season's game was canceled. The Pioneers won the 2023 match up 23-6 at Corcoran Field.
Lauren Black leads the team with 27 goals and Olivia Ripple follows with 20. Raegan Wilson balances the attack with 13 goals and 17 assists.
Megan Klingenberg has 18 ground balls and Sarah Pokorny rounds out the defense with 19 caused turnovers.

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

Schedule

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