2018 LIU Brooklyn Women's Lacrosse Season Preview Video

BROOKLYN, N.Y. - The LIU Brooklyn women's lacrosse team opens the 2018 season at home, Tuesday, February 13, hosting Rutgers on LIU Field. Game time is slated for 4 p.m.

FOLLOW LIVE
Fans who can't be in downtown Brooklyn can follow all the game action on LIU Field for free in two ways: watching the video feed on NEC Front Row, and by following live stats courtesy of LIU Athletics. 

SCOUTING THE SCARLET KNIGHTS
The Blackbirds open with one of the most formidable opponents to come to LIU Field in recent history. Rutgers will be looking to make waves in the Big Ten this year, after notching wins over Ohio State and Michigan in league action in 2017. Rutgers returns nine starters from a team that finished the season 8-8 last year, the most wins for the program since 2014. Though they lost their top two scorers, the Scarlet Knights have six players returning to the lineup who scored 10 or more goals last year. Rutgers opened the season Saturday at Temple, falling to the Owls on the road, 12-8.

CAPTAINS STEERING THE SHIP
Head coach Allison Hanley announced that the team has named its four captains for the 2018 season: seniors Sierra O'Connor and Carlie Robinson, redshirt senior Taylor O'Conner, and redshirt junior Dale Cosgrave.
 
"This group has such a balance of leadership style," Hanley said. "They have bought in to our system and have a passion for this team. They are present and accountable to this team, this season and making it the most memorable experience this team can have."
 
Hanley went into depth about her four team leaders, and each of their different leadership styles.
 
"Sierra is a returning captain who plays with emotion that is contagious to all of her teammates," Hanley said. "Her communication is a key part of her role, always talking and listening for what we need. She has been an impact player all four years on both ends of the ball, and in one word, is reliable."
 
"Taylor is a transfer, who although has only been with us for two seasons, has made her way into the hearts of all her Blackbird teammates," said Hanley. "She is approachable and level-headed. Most importantly, she has consistently demonstrated her innate ability to lead, adapting to her surroundings every minute, while never compromising a team mentality."
 
"Carlie has worked hard off the field to get back from her injury," Hanley said. "It's obvious she was greatly missed on the field for us last season, and she is playing with a determination that is palpable. While quiet and more reserved off the field, she speaks through her actions on the field, doing the dirty work and making big plays."
 
"Dale has been all passion and positivity this season," Hanley said. "She has found a confidence and belief in this team, and won't rest until we reach our full potential. She is a calming force to our offense, a teammate who can motivate everyone around her, and is hungry to leave her mark on this program."

LAST YEAR
The Blackbirds, who were picked to finish eighth in the preseason NEC poll, will be looking to improve on last year's 3-12 season.  Though LIU returns 11 letterwinners from that squad, Hanley expects big things from the nine newcomers added to the team this fall. She also has four athletes returning from redshirt years, who will make an immediate impact on the team's depth and skill on the field.

UP NEXT
The Blackbirds will travel south to take on UMBC, Saturday, February 17 at 12 p.m., before returning home to host Radford, Saturday, March 3 at 1 p.m.