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BROOKLYN, N.Y. – The LIU Brooklyn women's lacrosse team will return to the road, and head to Philadelphia, Pa. on Thursday, March 24 to take on the LaSalle Explorers. The first draw is set for 7:00pm.
ABOUT THE BLACKBIRDS
LIU will look to continue their non-conference success, after coming off of a home-opener win against Howard. The Blackbirds cruised to a 18-4 victory over the Bison, after getting the offense going early.
The team tallied a total of 14 goals in just the first half, while Jenn Peters led the scoring efforts for the Blackbirds. The junior posted six goals during the contest, making it the second time this season that the midfielder has tallied two hat tricks in a game. Peters leads the Northeast Conference individually, as she is averaging 3.71 goals per contest.
Freshman Jayde Sains aided the early scoring efforts, scoring after just a minute and a half into the contest. Sains would score twice more, earning her first collegiate hat trick. The freshman would also tack on an assist during the matchup against the Bison.
Junior Mary McQueen would also tally three goals in the game, making it the fourth game this season where she earned a hat trick or better.
Rorie Crum, the reigning NEC Rookie of the Week, had standout performances against both Siena and Howard to help the Blackbirds to a 1-1 week. In a 19-13 loss at Siena, Crum was one of three Blackbirds to post a hat trick or better. The freshman also posted a team-best nine draw controls during Saturday's matchup on LIU Field.
Alexis Maldonado earned the start in the cage for the Blackbirds in their home opener, and tallied just under 14 minutes in the game. Alexis Maldonado is fourth in the conference with a .404 save percentage so far in 2016.
Freshman Virginia Gibbons played in between the pipes for the remaining 46:11 and posted five saves against the Bison offense.
LIU's head coach Allison Hanley is an alumna of Richmond where she was a member of the Spiders, who tallied four wins over La Salle during her career.
SCOUTING THE EXPLORERS
A-10 member La Salle is familiar with Northeast Conference competition in 2016, after splitting their two matches over the weekend against NEC members Sacred Heart and Central Connecticut.
La Salle faced Sacred Heart first during their weekend trip up north, dropping a narrow 11-10 decision. Junior Allee Ilgenfritz led the 10 goals with a hat trick at Sacred Heart.
The Explorers got back on track with a 8-6 win at Central Connecticut State on Sunday. The Explorers had four goals apiece from Ilgenfrtiz and senior Katelyn Fay, and were able to jump out to an 8-2 lead before fending off a late Blue Devils comeback.
Fay and Ilgenfritz have powered the Explorers offense all season as both are in double digit in goals with Fay having 14 and Ilgenfritz at 11. Ilgenfrtiz leads the team with five assists and 16 total points on the season.
Sophomore Lucy Loughlin has started all six games in goal for the Explorers, making 37 saves on the season. Loughlin earned her first career win at Central Connecticut State on Sunday.
UP NEXT
The Blackbirds will return to LIU Field for their second home game of the season. The team will host Delaware State on Tuesday, March 29 in a 4:00pm matchup.