Weekend Ahead
BIG EAST newcomer Denver led the charge in opening the 2017 season for BIG EAST teams last weekend as the Pioneers dispatched San Diego State 15-10 in the lone contest. DU is back on the field this weekend with a pair of tilts, most notably on Sunday at No. 12/12 Stanford (3 p.m., ET). The headliner of the weekend is reigning BIG EAST champion No. 3/3 Florida hosting reigning national champion No. 1/1 North Carolina at noon on Saturday. The Gators play all teams currently ranked in the top five of both major polls this season, including national runner up No. 2/2 Maryland on March 29. Marquette also opens with a ranked foe in former BIG EAST rival No. 18/RV Louisville on Friday at 4 p.m. Georgetown (at Delaware), Temple (at Rutgers), Vanderbilt (versus Kennesaw State) and Villanova (versus Bucknell) all lift their lids on 2017 on Saturday. Butler will play its first official game on Sunday at home against Liberty. The Bulldogs were established this fall as Butler’s 20
th varsity sport, and were added to the BIG EAST lineup this season along with associate member Denver.
In The Polls
Back-to-back BIG EAST champion Florida came in at No. 3 in both the IWLCA Coaches’ Poll and Inside Lacrosse Media Poll following a 2016 season which saw the Gators finish 18-2 overall. BIG EAST newcomer Denver received votes in the Media Poll thanks to 10 starters returning from last season’s 9-9 squad.
BIG EAST Preseason Roundup
No. 3/3 Florida was unanimously picked to three-peat by the BIG EAST’s head coaches while a trio of Gators claimed major awards in attackers Sammi Burgess and Lindsey Ronbeck (BIG EAST Preseason Co-Offensive Players of the Year) and defender Caroline Fitzgerald (Preseason Defensive Player of the Year). Semifinalists in 2016, Connecticut was tabbed second and Georgetown was picked third. Newcomer Denver (fourth) and 2016 runner-up Temple rounded out the top five.
Denver Opens 2017 Early With A Win
The Pioneers topped San Diego State 15-10 on Saturday in the lone contest by a BIG EAST team on opening weekend. A trio of Pioneers notched hat tricks, including five goals on five shots by Elizabeth Behrins and three goals, four assists by Kendra Lanuza. For the full recap, click
HERE.
Weekend Schedule
Friday
18/RV Louisville at Marquette, 4 p.m.
-/RV Denver at Cal, 8 p.m.
Saturday
1/1 North Carolina at 3/3 Florida, Noon
Georgetown at Delaware, 1 p.m.
Temple at Rutgers, 1 p.m.
Kennesaw State at Vanderbilt, 2 p.m.
Bucknell at Villanova, 3 p.m.
Sunday
Liberty at Butler, 11 a.m.
-/RV Denver at 12/12 Stanford, 3 p.m.
All times Eastern