Women's Lacrosse Opens 2022 Season at Stetson

Game 1: Niagara (0-0) at Stetson (0-1)

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, NY – Niagara women's lacrosse begins its 27th year of competition this Thursday when it travels to DeLand, Fla., to take on the Stetson Hatters at 7 p.m.

Series History
• Niagara is 2-0 all-time against Stetson.
• The Purple Eagles and Hatters first met on March 11, 2015, a 10-9 win for Niagara.
• The two teams met for the second time on March 10, 2017. The Purple Eagles once again defeated Stetson by a final score of 16-14.

Niagara Notes
• The Purple and White were selected fourth in the MAAC Preseason Coaches' Poll and had three student-athletes selected to the Preseason All-MAAC Team, including reigning MAAC Goalkeeper of the Year, Michelle Messenger, and MAAC Rookie of the year Rachel Crane. Lexi Braniecki also received preseason recognition from the conference.
• Braniecki and Crane are NU's returning point scorers from a year ago as both registered 36 points. Braniecki scored 29 goals and assisted seven others, while Crane tallied 30 goals and six helpers.
• Messenger was the best goalie in the MAAC a season ago, finishing the season with a goals against average of 10.33 and a save percentage of .536. The netminder was tabbed by Inside Lacrosse to be the MAAC's Defensive Player of the Year.
• The Purple and White picked up their first winning season since 2004 in 2021, winning eight total games en route to reaching the MAAC semifinals.
• Niagara returns four All-MAAC selections from a year ago, including Braniecki, Crane, Messenger, and TaNia Cunningham.
• The Purple and White averaged 12.08 points per game in 2021, making 43.3 percent of their shots. Of Niagara's 157 goals scored, 46 came on free-position attempts.
• Jess Foley led Niagara with 15 caused turnovers in 2021, and she was one of five Purple Eagles to record 10 or more.
• Niagara's leader on the draw was Lois Garlow, who recorded 31 draw controls a year ago. Cunningham was second on the team with 28.
• Niagara had eight players register 10-plus ground balls on the season, led by Messenger's 46. Foley recorded 21 ground balls in 2021, followed by Cunningham and Crane with 19 and 18, respectively.

Up Next
• Niagara will take on No. 18 Jacksonville on Sunday, Feb. 20 at 1 p.m.

Stay connected with Niagara Women's Lacrosse on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Follow Niagara Athletics all year long on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and purpleeagles.com.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#3 Lexi Braniecki: A; Sophomore

#21 Rachel Crane: M; Junior

#44 TaNia Cunningham: D; 5' 3"; Senior

#22 Jess Foley: D; 5' 7"; Senior

#2 Lois Garlow: A; 5' 8"; Junior

#13 Michelle Messenger: G; 5' 5"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#3 Lexi Braniecki
: Sophomore
: A

#21 Rachel Crane
: Junior
: M

#44 TaNia Cunningham
: 5' 3"; Senior
: D

#22 Jess Foley
: 5' 7"; Senior
: D

#2 Lois Garlow
: 5' 8"; Junior
: A

#13 Michelle Messenger
: 5' 5"; Senior
: G