Women's Lacrosse 3/20/2022 1:00:00 PM

Women's Lacrosse Concludes Three Game Road Swing at Pitt

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, NY – The Niagara women's lacrosse program looks to bounce back from an 18-17 overtime loss at Old Dominion on Thursday when it concludes its three-game road trip at Pitt on Monday, March 21 at 5 p.m.

Last Time Out
• The Purple Eagles erased an eight-goal Old Dominion lead to overtime, but the Monarchs came out on top, 18-17 in the extra period.
• Lois Garlow and Lexi Braniecki headed the Niagara comeback effort scoring four goals apiece, followed by Rachel Crane with three and Lucy Rugaber with two.
• Four other Purple Eagles found the back of the net to help Niagara force OT.
• Starting goalie Michelle Messenger made 11 stops between the pipes.
• Garlow, Andra Savage, and Jess Foley were the three Purple Eagles to record assists.
• Crane and Eliza Wild led NU with two groundballs, Braniecki had a team-best nine draw controls, and Crane finished with four caused turnovers.
• The Purple and White finished with 34 shots on goal, 12 ground balls, 21 draw controls, and 14 caused turnovers.

Niagara Notes
• On the season, Niagara has scored 80 goals, led by Garlow's 19. The junior also leads the team in assists (8) and points (27).
• Rachel Crane and Lexi Braniecki are second and third on the team with 13 and 12 goals, respectively.
• Brenna Duffy is second behind Garlow with five assists this season. Duffy recorded two helpers at Army and another three against Marquette.
• Messenger has started five of Niagara's seven games, making 38 saves and allowing 58 goals. The senior netminder has had two games with 10 or more saves. The first came at home against Marquette, followed by a season-high 11 stops at Old Dominion.
• Defenders Jess Foley and TaNia Cunningham are atop the NU leaderboard with 17 ground balls. Rachel Crane follows with 12.
• Crane is also the Purple Eagles leader with 10 caused turnovers and 20 draw controls.
• Niagara has scored 23 of its 80 goals on free-position shots, eight of which have come from Garlow.
• The Purple Eagles average 27.9 shots per game, with 74.9 percent going on target.
• This season, Niagara is 84-for-110 on clears.

Series History
• This will be the first-ever meeting between Pitt and Niagara as the Panthers are in their first season as a Division I women's lacrosse program.

Up Next
• NU opens league play at home against Monmouth on March 26 at 1 p.m. The contest between Monmouth and Niagara will air live on ESPN+ from Niagara Field.

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.

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Players Mentioned

#3 Lexi Braniecki: A; Sophomore

#21 Rachel Crane: M; Junior

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

#18 Brenna Duffy: A; 5' 8"; Senior

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

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

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

#8 Lucy Rugaber: A; Junior

#12 Eliza Wild: M; Junior

#11 Andra Savage: M; 5' 10"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#3 Lexi Braniecki
: Sophomore
: A

#21 Rachel Crane
: Junior
: M

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

#18 Brenna Duffy
: 5' 8"; Senior
: A

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

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

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

#8 Lucy Rugaber
: Junior
: A

#12 Eliza Wild
: Junior
: M

#11 Andra Savage
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: M