Xavier University Athletics
Friday, February 20
Erie, Pa.
12 p.m.
Xavier University
at
Mercyhurst
Lacrosse Set to Face Mercyhurst
02.18.26 | Women's Lacrosse
The Musketeers are looking to pick up their first win of the 2026 season.
CINCINNATI - The Xavier lacrosse team heads to Mercyhurst on Friday looking to bounce back from an 0-2 start to the 2026 season. First draw is set for 12:00 p.m. at Saxon Stadium in Erie, Pa.
The Musketeers are coming off a 9-7 loss at Eastern Michigan last weekend in their first true road game of the season. Maya Graham contributed a team-high two goals for her second-straight outing with multiple goals.Â
XU lost to Cincinnati in the season opener on Feb. 6 by a score of 17-9Â where Graham recorded her first career hat trick.Â
Xavier looks to pick up the first win of the Brittney Morris era. Morris is in her first year at the helm of XU lacrosse after winning four-straight United East Conference Championships at Division III St. Mary's College of Maryland.
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FEBRUARY 20 | 12:00 PM
BIG EAST Preseason Women's Lacrosse Coaches' Poll
First-place votes in ( )
1. Denver (6)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 36 pts.
2. Villanova         28
3. UConn (1)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 26
4. Georgetown            24
5. Marquette        16
6. Butler            11
7. Xavier            6
Â
BIG EAST Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Olivia Ripple, A, Jr., Denver^
Â
BIG EAST Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Abby Beran, D, Jr., UConn^
Â
Preseason All-BIG EAST Team *
Abby Beran, D, Jr., UConn^
Rayea Davis, A, R-Sr., UConn^
Alex Dorr, DS, R-So., Denver^
Lexi Gwaku, GK, So. Denver
Megan Klingenberg, Sr., D- Denver^
Olivia Ripple, A, Jr., Denver^
Gracie Driggs, A, Sr., Georgetown^
Sophia Loschert, A, So., Georgetown
Kendall Steer, D, Sr., Georgetown
Hanna Bodner, M, Gr., Marquette^
Lauren Grady, M, Jr., Marquette
Tess Osburn, A, Sr., Marquette^
Mary Velner, D, Jr., Marquette
Rose Christie, M, Jr., Villanova^
Leslie Iorio, M, So., Villanova
Elena Torres, A, R-Jr., Villanova^
Emma Verhoest, DS, Jr., Villanova^
The Musketeers are coming off a 9-7 loss at Eastern Michigan last weekend in their first true road game of the season. Maya Graham contributed a team-high two goals for her second-straight outing with multiple goals.Â
XU lost to Cincinnati in the season opener on Feb. 6 by a score of 17-9Â where Graham recorded her first career hat trick.Â
Xavier looks to pick up the first win of the Brittney Morris era. Morris is in her first year at the helm of XU lacrosse after winning four-straight United East Conference Championships at Division III St. Mary's College of Maryland.
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game information
FEBRUARY 20 | 12:00 PM
- Xavier Musketeers (0-2, 0-0 BIG EAST) vs. Mercyhurst Lakers (0-1, 0-0 NEC)
- Erie, Pa. // Saxon Stadium
- Watch
- Live Stats
about the musketeers
- Maya Graham leads the Musketeers with five goals and six points. She is the only Musketeer with multiple goals in both games this season.
- Claire Slade has three goals and an assist this season with a 1.000 shooting percentage.
- Megan Droney is second on the team in points with one goal and a team-high four assists.
- Samantha Balara leads the team in both ground balls (6) and caused turnovers (3).Â
- Jada Brandon has played both full games in the cage for the Musketeers, recording 25 saves for a .490 save percentage.
- Head coach Brittney Morris is in her first season at the helm of Xavier, joining the Musketeers from Division III St. Mary's College of Maryland where she won four-straight United East Conference Championships.
- Morris retained 20 players from last year's squad with the addition of five transfers and seven newcomers.
- Samantha Balara, Catherine Gurd and Katelyn McDonnell were named the 2026 team captains.
scouting the lakers
- Mercyhurst is 0-1 on the year after a season-opening 17-9 loss to Kent State last Friday.
- The Lakers were picked to finish fourth in the NEC this year after a 6-3 league finish in 2025.
- Reigning NEC Offensive Player of the Year Whitley Easton led the Lakers with 53 goals and 36 goals in 2025 and returns for her senior season at Mercyhurst.
- Senior Emma Cimino had a team-leading four goals in Mercyhurst's season opener.
- Goalkeeper Maggie Allen returns for her second season with the Lakers after earning a spot on the 2025 NEC All-Rookie Team.
big east preseason honors
BIG EAST Preseason Women's Lacrosse Coaches' Poll
First-place votes in ( )
1. Denver (6)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 36 pts.
2. Villanova         28
3. UConn (1)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 26
4. Georgetown            24
5. Marquette        16
6. Butler            11
7. Xavier            6
Â
BIG EAST Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Olivia Ripple, A, Jr., Denver^
Â
BIG EAST Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Abby Beran, D, Jr., UConn^
Â
Preseason All-BIG EAST Team *
Abby Beran, D, Jr., UConn^
Rayea Davis, A, R-Sr., UConn^
Alex Dorr, DS, R-So., Denver^
Lexi Gwaku, GK, So. Denver
Megan Klingenberg, Sr., D- Denver^
Olivia Ripple, A, Jr., Denver^
Gracie Driggs, A, Sr., Georgetown^
Sophia Loschert, A, So., Georgetown
Kendall Steer, D, Sr., Georgetown
Hanna Bodner, M, Gr., Marquette^
Lauren Grady, M, Jr., Marquette
Tess Osburn, A, Sr., Marquette^
Mary Velner, D, Jr., Marquette
Rose Christie, M, Jr., Villanova^
Leslie Iorio, M, So., Villanova
Elena Torres, A, R-Jr., Villanova^
Emma Verhoest, DS, Jr., Villanova^
Players Mentioned
M
/ Women's Lacrosse
GK
/ Women's Lacrosse
M
/ Women's Lacrosse
A
/ Women's Lacrosse
D
/ Women's Lacrosse
M
/ Women's Lacrosse
A
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