Xavier University Athletics
Tuesday, February 24
Kent, Ohio
4 p.m.
Xavier University
at
Kent State
Lacrosse Continues Road Stretch at Kent State
02.23.26 | Women's Lacrosse
The Musketeers are facing the Golden Flashes for the first time in program history.
CINCINNATI - The Xavier lacrosse team heads to Kent State on Tuesday for the final test of a three-game road slate. The Musketeers picked up their first win of the season against Mercyhurst on Saturday by a score of 13-6.
Eight different Musketeers scored in the win while Samantha Balara led the way with four goals and two assists. She is just the fourth Musketeer in program history to record at least six points in a game.
Head coach Brittney Morris picked up her first win as a Division I head coach last Saturday. Morris is in her first year at the helm of Xavier lacrosse after leading Division III St. Mary's College of Maryland to four-straight United East Conference Championships and NCAA Tournament appearances.
Xavier and Kent State will face off for the first time in program history, but the Musketeers are no stranger to MAC conference opponents. XU has a 3-4 all-time record against the conference in the program's four seasons and the Musketeers will play a total of four MAC teams this season.
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FEBRUARY 24 | 4:00 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
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BIG EAST Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Olivia Ripple, A, Jr., Denver^
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BIG EAST Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Abby Beran, D, Jr., UConn^
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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^
Eight different Musketeers scored in the win while Samantha Balara led the way with four goals and two assists. She is just the fourth Musketeer in program history to record at least six points in a game.
Head coach Brittney Morris picked up her first win as a Division I head coach last Saturday. Morris is in her first year at the helm of Xavier lacrosse after leading Division III St. Mary's College of Maryland to four-straight United East Conference Championships and NCAA Tournament appearances.
Xavier and Kent State will face off for the first time in program history, but the Musketeers are no stranger to MAC conference opponents. XU has a 3-4 all-time record against the conference in the program's four seasons and the Musketeers will play a total of four MAC teams this season.
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game information
FEBRUARY 24 | 4:00 PM
- Xavier Musketeers (1-2, 0-0 BIG EAST) vs. Kent State Golden Flashes (3-1, 0-0 MAC)
- Kent, Ohio // Dix Stadium
- Watch
- Live Stats
about the musketeers
- Samantha Balara and Maya Graham are tied for the team lead in goals (5). Balara had a career game at Mercyhurst last weekend with four goals and two assists for her second career hat trick.Â
- Megan Droney leads the team with eight points on two goals and six assists. The junior has contributed two assists in all three games this season.
- Colby Wasson leads the defense with nine ground balls and five caused turnovers. The Musketeers lead all opponents in caused turnovers, 27-25.
- Jada Brandon ranks eighth in the nation for her 11.67 saves per game and 12th for her .522 save percentage. The senior leads the BIG EAST in both categories.
- Cameron Yard has a team-high eight draw controls and has also contributed two goals and an assist.
- 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 golden flashes
- Kent State is off to a 3-1 start this season, most recently defeating Butler, 10-6, last Saturday.
- The Golden Flashes were picked to finish sixth in the MAC this season after a 1-5 league finish in 2025.
- Zayda Crumpton was named to the All-MAC First Team last season and is currently leading the Flashes with 16 points on eight goals and eight assists this year.
- 2025 All-MAC Second Team selection, Lizzie Lundeen, leads the team with 12 goals.
- Anna Zucconi earned a spot on the All-Freshman Team last season and currently ranks 10th in the nation for her 2.75 caused turnovers per game and 11th with 3.75 ground balls per game.
- Head coach Brianne Tierney is in her ninth season at the helm of Kent State lacrosse.
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
D
/ Women's Lacrosse
M/DS
/ Women's LacrosseHIGHLIGHTS | Lacrosse at Mercyhurst
Friday, February 20
HIGHLIGHTS | Lacrosse at Butler
Saturday, April 26
HIGHLIGHTS | Lacrosse at Vanderbilt
Wednesday, April 23
HIGHLIGHTS | Lacrosse at UConn
Saturday, April 19