Lacrosse Hosts Cal in Midweek Non Conference Action

Tuesday, March 24

Cincinnati, Ohio

5:30 p.m.

Xavier University

California

Lacrosse Hosts Cal in Midweek Non Conference Action

03.23.26 | Women's Lacrosse

Watch (Xavier+)Live Stats

The Musketeers welcome the Golden Bears to town for a Tuesday night battle at Corcoran Field.

By: Abbey Curtis, Xavier Athletic Communications

CINCINNATI - The Xavier lacrosse team welcomes Cal to town on Tuesday evening for a non conference battle at Corcoran Field. Both teams are coming off weekend losses with Xavier dropping its BIG EAST opener at Villanova on Saturday, 14-8, while Cal lost to ACC foe Louisville, 12-5, on Saturday as well.

Samantha Balara led the Musketeer offense on Saturday, scoring a career-high four goals for the second time this season and notching her fourth career hat trick. She scored her first three goals in the second quarter alone, becoming just the sixth Musketeer all-time to reach a hat trick in a single quarter. The redshirt junior leads the team with 21 points and 16 goals and has contributed at least a point in all but one game this season.

XU and Cal are facing off for the first time in program history. The Musketeers are 0-3 all-time against ACC opponents between Duke and Louisville. Cal is 13-14 all-time against BIG EAST foes, most recently defeating Butler, 16-8, in 2024.

First draw is set for 5:30 p.m. at Corcoran Field on Tuesday and the game will be streamed on Xavier+.

game information

TUESDAY, MARCH 24 | 5:30 PM

Xavier Musketeers (2-8, 0-1 BIG EAST) vs. Cal Golden Bears (5-7, 1-5 ACC)
Cincinnati, Ohio // Corcoran Field
Watch (Xavier+)
Live Stats

about the musketeers

Samantha Balara leads the team with 21 points on 16 goals and five assists. She ranks sixth in the BIG EAST for her 5.40 shots per game.
Colby Wasson leads Xavier's defense with 31 ground balls and 22 caused turnovers. The junior ranks second in the BIG EAST for both ground balls (3.10) and caused turnovers (2.20) per game. She also ranks 15th in the nation for her ground balls per game and 24th for caused turnovers per game.
Megan Droney tied her own single-season assists record against Villanova with her 12th of the season. The junior has contributed 2+ assists in four different games this season.
Jada Brandon maintains a .478 save percentage, good for second in the league and 22nd in the nation. She also averages 7.70 saves per game and 9.51 goals against average, ranking second and third in the BIG EAST respectively.
The Musketeer defense also ranks 19th among NCAA Division I teams with a .478 save percentage and 26th for their 10.20 caused turnovers per game.
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 GOLDEN BEARS

Cal was picked to finish 13th in the ACC this season after going 0-9 in their first stint in the league in 2025.
The Golden Bears picked up their first ACC win on Feb. 13 in a 10-9 victory over first-year program Florida State.
Senior Courtney Wong leads the team with 38 points on 22 goals and 16 assists.
Clara Page averages 3.00 ground balls per game, good for 10th in the NCAA.
Freshman goalkeeper Lulu Murphy has started all 12 games in the cage for the Golden Bears, totaling 84 saves for a .378 save percentage.
Head coach Jennifer Wong is in her fourth season at the helm of Cal lacrosse.

big east weekly honors

Feb. 23 - Genevieve Hathaway - BIG EAST Freshman of the Week
Feb. 23 - Samantha Balara - BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll
March 9 - Maya Graham - 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^