Women's Lacrosse 4/23/2022 3:00:00 PM

Women's Lacrosse Hosts Manhattan for Senior Day

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, NY – The Niagara women's lacrosse team will host Manhattan for the final game of the 2022 season and a share of the MAAC Regular Season Title on the line. The opening draw between the Purple Eagles and Jaspers is scheduled for noon at Niagara Field.

Before the contest, Niagara will honor its 11 seniors. The Senior Day Ceremony will begin at approximately 10:45 a.m.

Last Time Out
• Niagara was defeated by Siena on the road Thursday afternoon in MAAC women's lacrosse action by the final score of 14-9.
• Midfielder Rachel Crane scored four goals in her seventh game with three or more tallies this season.
• Junior Lois Garlow scored twice and picked up an assist in the loss.

Niagara Notes
• The Purple Eagles enter Sunday'sSunday's contest 9-7 overall and 5-2 in league play.
• With a win, Niagara will earn a share of the MAAC Regular Season title for the first time in program history.
• The Purple and White are led by junior Lois Garlow, who enters the season's final game with 43 goals and 17 assists.
• Rachel Crane and Lexi Braniecki are second and third on the team in scoring with 33 and 32 goals, respectively. Both Purple Eagles have 19 goals in conference play.
• Junior Lucy Rugaber has a career-high 16 goals entering Sunday'sSunday's contest. The attack has scored at least one goal in five of Niagara'sNiagara's seven league games.
• Niagara'sNiagara's goalkeeper, Michelle Messenger, currently ranks 13th in the nation and first in the MAAC with a .485 save percentage. Messenger also leads NU with 36 ground balls on the year.
• Jess Foley is second on the team with 34 ground balls and third with 16 caused turnovers. She recorded her second game this season with three or more caused turnovers in Thursday'sThursday's game at Siena.
• TaNia Cunningham has a team-high 18 caused turnovers and has four games with at least two.
• As a team, Niagara averages 11.38 goals per game while allowing 13.06.
• The Purple Eagles have scored 42 goals via free position attempts this season, with Garlow scoring a team-best 11.

Series History
• Sunday will mark the 26th meeting between the Purple Eagles and Jaspers. Manhattan leads the all-time series 16-9.
• Niagara has won six of the last 10 meetings over the Jaspers.
• Manhattan took the 2021 meeting between the two schools, 9-8.

Up Next
• Niagara will compete for the MAAC Championship beginning on April 30. The top two seeds get a bye to the semifinals on May 6. The No. 1 overall seed will host the semifinal and final rounds.

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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

#8 Lucy Rugaber: A; Junior

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

#8 Lucy Rugaber
: Junior
: A