Weekend Ahead
Five BIG EAST women’s lacrosse teams begin their 2019 seasons this weekend, with a trio of squads playing their lid lifters against ranked foes. No. 19/RV Denver gets going in a top-25 showdown at No. 18/17 Stanford on Friday at 9 p.m. ET, while Marquette hosts No. 20/RV Notre Dame on Friday at 3 p.m. Villanova hits the road on Saturday to face No. 24/19 Duke. Additional openers include Old Dominion at Coastal Carolina on Friday at 1 p.m., and No. 22/RV Georgetown at Saint Joseph’s on Saturday at 3 p.m. MU and UD double down on the weekend as the Golden Eagles host Louisville on Sunday (1 p.m.) and the Pioneers visit Cal (3 p.m.). Butler will wait until next Thursday to begin its regular season, hosting Duquesne at 3 p.m.
Preseason Recap
The 2019 BIG EAST Women’s Lacrosse Preseason Coaches’ Poll saw two-time championship runner-up Denver unanimously selected to win the crown. The Pioneers boasted five Preseason All-BIG EAST Team selections, along with BIG EAST Preseason Defensive Player of the Year Kennedy Milburn. Denver collected all 25 possible points in the poll to edge out back-to-back regular-season runner-up Georgetown. The Hoyas totaled 21 points and five Preseason All-BIG EAST selections. Led by BIG EAST Preseason Offensive Player of the Year Grace Gabriel, Marquette was slotted third with 16 points, followed by Villanova in fourth with 14. New to the fold this year, affiliate member Old Dominion was picked fifth with eight points, while Butler rounded out the poll in sixth with six points. The BIG EAST preseason poll and awards are based on a vote of the league’s head coaches who are not allowed to vote for their own team or players.
Preseason National Polls
Two BIG EAST teams which spent much of last season either ranked or receiving votes continued that trend in the 2019 preseason as both Denver and Georgetown garnered attached in both national polls. The Pioneers led the way, coming in at No. 19 in the IWLCA Coaches Poll and received votes in the Inside Lacrosse Media Poll. The Hoyas landed at No. 22 in the IWLCA Top 25, and also received votes in the media poll.
New Look League
The BIG EAST women’s lacrosse lineup has a new look for the 2019 season. Already an affiliate member in the sport of field hockey, Old Dominion has been added to the BIG EAST women’s lacrosse roster, joining Butler, Georgetown, Marquette, Villanova and fellow affiliate Denver. The American Athletic Conference begins its first season of women’s lacrosse in 2019, as recent BIG EAST affiliate members Cincinnati, Connecticut, Florida, Temple and Vanderbilt shift to AAC play. ODU previously competed in the ASUN.
Upcoming Schedule
Friday - Feb. 8
Old Dominion at Coastal Carolina, 1 p.m.
20/RV Notre Dame at Marquette, 3 p.m.
19/RV Denver at 18/17 Stanford, 9 p.m.
Saturday - Feb. 9
Villanova at 24/19 Duke, 1 p.m.
22/RV Georgetown at Saint Joseph’s, 3 p.m.
Sunday - Feb. 10
Louisville at Marquette, 1 p.m.
19/RV Denver at Cal, 3 p.m.
All times Eastern