Mancuso Records 15th Career Hat Trick in Loss to Bucknell

Friday, March 7

Tampa, Fla.

4 p.m.

Xavier University

0-4

Bucknell

4-2

BUCKNELL

XAVIER

Mancuso Records 15th Career Hat Trick in Loss to Bucknell

03.07.25 | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score

Lola Mancuso led the Musketeers with a season-high five goals.

By: Abbey Curtis, Xavier Athletic Communications

TAMPA, Fla. - The Xavier lacrosse team dropped a 12-8 contest to Bucknell on Friday night at Corbett Stadium on the campus of South Florida.

The Musketeers fall to 0-4 on the season while the Bulls improve to 4-2.

Xavier will stay in Florida for a game against host USF on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.

how it happened

Julie Cassidy and Kirra Crowley scored two quick goals just over two minutes into the game to take an early 2-0 lead for the Musketeers.

The Bison scored two man-up goals in the opening period, but Morgan Handzel took advantage of a draw control to assist Lola Mancuso's first goal of the afternoon, allowing Xavier to hold onto a 3-2 lead after the first period.

Mancuso once again extended the Musketeers' lead to open the second quarter, 4-2, with a goal assisted by Megan Droney.

Bucknell went on to score six unanswered to close out the half at an 8-4 advantage.

Cassidy scored again on a free position opportunity and Mancuso scored three more times in the second half, but the Musketeers were unable to come back within reach of the Bison.

notables

Lola Mancuso's five goals are a season-high and mark her 15th career hat trick. The junior attacker has scored multiple goals in all four games this season and leads the team with 12.
Julie Cassidy has scored in every game this season and follows up Mancuso with six goals on the year.
Rookie Morgan Handzel had a team-high 12 draw controls, two shy of her own program-record 14.
Teegan Lannon recorded six saves and three ground balls in goal.
Julia Frombach forced four caused turnovers and picked up one ground ball.
Samantha Balara also recorded three ground balls and one draw control.
Machaela Henry contributed all around with one assist, two ground balls, two draw controls and a caused turnover.
The Musketeers dominated Bucknell 20-4 in draw controls and forced nine caused turnovers compared to the Bison's seven.
Xavier's four assists are tied for the most in a game this season.

coach decker's thoughts

"Today, we had to look in the mirror and own our current strengths and weaknesses. We no longer have the excuse of being a new program. We did not take care of the ball, plain and simple. We are always a high effort team. We lack mental discipline and it showed. I also believe that this group has the ability to make a complete 180 in this area before we move into conference play. We have great humans, a lot of talent, and a lot of potential. We need to be smarter and execute consistently. And we need to have pride in possession. Looking forward to moving in that direction." - Meg Decker