Lacrosse Hosts Akron in Home Opener

Sunday, March 1

Cincinnati, Ohio

2 p.m.

Xavier University

Akron

02.27.26 | Women's Lacrosse

Watch (Xavier+)Live Stats

The Musketeers will play their first game of the season at Corcoran Field on Sunday.

By: Abbey Curtis, Xavier Athletic Communications

CINCINNATI - The Xavier lacrosse team will play its home opener on Sunday against the Akron Zips. First draw is set for 2:00 p.m. at Corcoran Field.

The Musketeers look to win their home opener at Corcoran Field for the third season in a row. XU secured a 13-5 win over Gardner-Webb last season and a 17-10 victory over Radford in the 2024 season.

Xavier is facing Akron for the third consecutive season and looking for their first win over the Zips. The Musketeers lost at Akron, 15-6, in the 2025 season opener. XU has faced two other MAC opponents this season in Eastern Michigan and Kent State and will also host Detroit Mercy on Wednesday at Corcoran Field.

game information

SUNDAY, MARCH 1 | 2:00 PM

Xavier Musketeers (1-3, 0-0 BIG EAST) vs. Akron Zips (4-1, 0-0 MAC)
Cincinnati, Ohio // Corcoran Field
Watch
Live Stats

about the musketeers

Megan Droney leads the team with 11 points on two goals and nine assists. The junior has contributed at least two assists in all four games this season.
Samantha Balara, Maya Graham and Genevieve Hathaway are tied for the team goal lead with five each.
Balara scored a career-high four goals along with two assists against Mercyhurst for her second career hat trick. She became the fourth Musketeer in program history to record at least six points in a game.
Graham recorded her first career hat trick in the season opener against Cincinnati with three goals and an assist.
Hathaway was named the BIG EAST Freshman of the Week for her two-goal performance in the win over Mercyhurst. She followed up with two more goals against Kent State on Tuesday afternoon.
Jada Brandon ranks 13th in the nation for her 10.25 saves per game and 17th with a .500 save percentage.
Colby Wasson leads the defense with 11 ground balls and six caused turnovers.
Head coach Brittney Morris picked up her first win as a Division I head coach on Feb. 20 in the 13-6 victory over Mercyhurst. She is in her first season 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.
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 zips

Akron is off to a 4-1 start this season, most recently defeating Radford, 17-4.
The Zips were picked to finish T-2nd in the MAC this year along with Eastern Michigan after a 4-2 league finish last year.
Akron won the MAC Championship last season and earned their first bid to the NCAA Tournament where they fell to No. 13 Michigan in the first round.
Head coach Elaine Jones is in her third season at Akron and was named the 2025 MAC Coach of the Year.
2025 All-MAC First Team selection Sienna Hinchcliffe currently ranks sixth in the nation for her 4.40 goals per game.
Katie Baumer returns for her senior season after a All-MAC Second Team nod last year and is second on the team with 15 goals and 21 points.
The Zips average 13.40 goals per game, good for 26th in the nation.

big east weekly honors

Feb. 23 - Genevieve Hathaway - BIG EAST Freshman of the Week
Feb. 23 - Samantha Balara - BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll

big east preseason honors

BIG EAST Preseason Women's Lacrosse Coaches' Poll
First-place votes in ( )
1. Denver (6) 36 pts.
2. Villanova 28
3. UConn (1) 26
4. Georgetown 24
5. Marquette 16
6. Butler 11
7. Xavier 6

BIG EAST Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Olivia Ripple, A, Jr., Denver^

BIG EAST Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Abby Beran, D, Jr., UConn^

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^