Manhattan University Athletics

Watch (ESPN3) | Live Stats
 
Riverdale, NY – As the curtain closes on the first half of the season, Manhattan women's lacrosse prepares for its opening conference game of 2018, traveling to two-time defending MAAC champion Canisius. The opening draw is set to take place at 11:00 am.
 
Fans can tune in to the game on ESPN3 online and with the WatchESPN mobile app. Live stats will also be provided by Canisius.

NON-CONFERENCE REVIEW

The Jaspers capped off their non-conference slate with a 3-5 record, notching wins against Presbyterian, Vermont and Wofford. Manhattan's trio of Sarah Lang, Kara Hodapp and Molly Fitzpatrick continued to dominate offensively, accounting for 52 of the team's 76 goals. Fitzpatrick became the 19th member of the 100-point club in the victory over Wofford. Goalkeeper Nikki Prestiano surpassed 2,000 career minutes in the cage. Five Jaspers also recorded their first collegiate goals over the first eight games: Emma Kaishian, Deb Peifer, Carmella Liscio, Alaina Burgess and Grace Owens.
 
KATIE McCONNELL ON THE JSN
 
After Sunday's matchup against Wagner, Head Coach Katie McConnell spoke to the Jasper Sports Network to summarize the non-conference slate and her expectations for Saturday's contest. You can watch the interview below.
 

 
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…
 
Senior captain Sarah Lang was selected as the MAAC's Female Student-Athlete of the Week. To read the MAAC's release, click here.
 
MILESTONE WATCH
 
Senior captain Sarah Lang is two goals shy of her career-high of 26 goals… Junior Molly Fitzpatrick is one point away from 15th place on Manhattan's all-time scoring list… Junior Emma Kaishian is two ground balls and five draw controls away from 100 for her career.
 
ROAD HOUSE
 
Saturday's matchup is the first of a three-game road swing for the Jaspers, with the other games against Quinnipiac and Marist. Manhattan is currently 2-2 away from home this year.
 
TOUGH TENDING
 
This game features two goalies with impressive performances on their 2018 resumes. Junior Nikki Prestiano tallied the second-most saves in a game this year across Division I lacrosse with 19 saves in the win over Vermont earlier in the month. Her Canisius counterpart, Rebecca VanLaeken, had a NCAA-best 20 saves vs. Northwestern on February 10.
 
SCOUTING THE GOLDEN GRIFFINS
 
Canisius enters Saturday's game at 3-4. The Golden Griffins have won three of their last four, with wins coming against Binghamton, Yale and Bryant.
 
Along with VanLaeken in net, Canisius features a strong, two-headed attack in MAAC Preseason Player of the Year Jourdan Roemer and Jen Reininger. Roemer leads the team with 28 points, while Reininger paces the squad with 19 goals.
 
Manhattan and Canisius will meet for the 21st time in the series. The Golden Griffins have the edge in the rivalry 11-9; the Jaspers' last win in the series came in 2007.
 
ON THE HORIZON
 
After Saturday's game, Manhattan heads over to Hamden, CT for a date with Quinnipiac on Saturday, March 31 at Noon.