Xavier University Athletics
Wednesday, March 4
Cincinnati, Ohio
6 p.m.
Xavier University
vs
Detroit Mercy
Lacrosse Set to Host Detroit Mercy on Wednesday Night
03.02.26 | Women's Lacrosse
The Musketeers look to bounce back from a home-opening 6-5 loss to Akron on Sunday afternoon.
CINCINNATI - The Xavier women's lacrosse team welcomes Detroit Mercy to Corcoran Field on Wednesday night. The Musketeers are playing for their first win at home this season after a 6-5 loss on Sunday to Akron.
XU and Detroit Mercy are facing off for the third time in program history with an even 1-1 record against each other. The Musketeers defeated the Titans at home, 12-8, in 2024 while Detroit Mercy took the first match up in 2023 by a score of 11-10.
Xavier has faced three other teams from the MAC this season and looking for their first win over an opponent from the conference this year.Â
First draw is set for 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday night at Corcoran Field. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1 | 6:00 PM
Feb. 23 - Genevieve Hathaway - BIG EAST Freshman of the Week
Feb. 23 - Samantha Balara - BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll
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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^
XU and Detroit Mercy are facing off for the third time in program history with an even 1-1 record against each other. The Musketeers defeated the Titans at home, 12-8, in 2024 while Detroit Mercy took the first match up in 2023 by a score of 11-10.
Xavier has faced three other teams from the MAC this season and looking for their first win over an opponent from the conference this year.Â
First draw is set for 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday night at Corcoran Field. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
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game information
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1 | 6:00 PM
- Xavier Musketeers (1-4, 0-0 BIG EAST) vs. Detroit Mercy Titans (0-3, 0-0 MAC)
- Cincinnati, Ohio // Corcoran Field
- Watch
- Live Stats
about the musketeers
- Megan Droney leads the team with 12 points on three goals and a team-best nine assists.
- Samantha Balara has scored a team-high seven goals and earned a spot on the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll last week for the first time in her career.
- Brynley Hodge is on a four-game scoring streak, contributing two goals in Sunday's loss to Akron.
- Jada Brandon leads the BIG EAST and ranks 21st in the nation for her 9.40 saves per game. The senior also maintains a .500 save percentage, good for 15th in the nation.
- Colby Wasson picked up a career-high seven ground balls with four caused turnovers against Akron. She ranks eighth in the nation for her 3.60 ground balls per game.
- Cameron Yard leads the Musketeers with 11 draw controls. She has also contributed two goals and an assist.
- 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 titans
- Detroit Mercy is 0-3 this season after a 22-4 loss to Ohio State on Friday.
- The Titans were picked to finish eighth in the MAC this season after a 3-3 league finish in 2025 that earned them a spot in the MAC Semifinals.
- Libby Cuckler and Alyssa Jarvis return for the Titans after being named to the 2025 All-MAC Second Team. Jarvis currently leads the team with 12 points.
- Freshman Alison Smiley leads the Titans with nine goals so far this season.
- Head coach Emma Kuehl is in her first season at the helm of Detroit Mercy lacrosse.
big east weekly honors
Feb. 23 - Genevieve Hathaway - BIG EAST Freshman of the Week
Feb. 23 - Samantha Balara - BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll
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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
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GK
/ Women's Lacrosse
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/ Women's Lacrosse
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/ Women's Lacrosse
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/ Women's Lacrosse
M
/ Women's Lacrosse
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M/DS
/ Women's LacrosseLacrosse vs Akron
Sunday, March 01
HIGHLIGHTS | Lacrosse at Kent State
Tuesday, February 24
HIGHLIGHTS | Lacrosse at Mercyhurst
Friday, February 20
HIGHLIGHTS | Lacrosse at Butler
Saturday, April 26