CU Women's Lacrosse Preview - vs. Morrisville State (3/26)

Over the last two weeks the Clarkson University Women's Lacrosse team has dominated its opponents with a stifling defense and steady offense and the Golden Knights look to continue that trend when they play Morrisville State on Saturday at Hantz Turf Field.

The Knights, 5-1 overall, have enjoyed a ridiculous run in the last four games, outscoring opponents by 43 goals and allowing the opposition just 14 goals in 240 minutes of action. Clarkson has scored more goals (57) than it has allowed shots (38) in that time frame.

At the head of that impressive defensive effort, which is more about denial than forcing miscues, is freshman goalkeeper Samantha Gladd. The first-year collegian ranks third in the Liberty League in save percentage (52.5%) and is second in goals against average (5.72), but has more than halved the latter figure with a 2.46 goals against average in the last four contests. In her last 195 minutes in the crease, Gladd has allowed just eight goals.

Clarkson's offense has done more than enough to make Gladd's performances stand up. Senior Christine Wright leads the Liberty League in scoring by a wide margin with 6.33 points per game, having tallied 38 points overall on 19 goals and 19 assists. The midfielder also is either first or second on the team in draw controls (14), groundballs (10) and caused turnovers (9). Junior attacker Ashley Flick is third in the conference in goals per game with 3.50 tallies per contest, having scored 26 points on 21 goals and five assists. Classmate Kate Dillon had four points on Wednesday and now ranks third on the team in scoring with 12 points, and sophomore Taylor Collins has accumulated 11 points to go along with team-bests in draw controls (16) and groundballs (13).

Morrisville State has struggled against Clarkson in its previous three meetings, but the Mustangs fell just 14-9 in 2015. Angela Marriott produced two of those nine goals for Morrisville last year, and she leads the team in scoring through five games with 18 points on 15 goals and three assists. Elizabeth Leva has added in 10 points and leads the team with 30 draw controls, while Jackie O'Sullivan has matched Leva's offense with 10 points of her own. Courtney Cavellier is second on the team with eight goals. Cailin Dunphy has allowed 11.66 goals per game with a save percentage of 41.9%.

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Players Mentioned

#3 Taylor Collins: M; 5' 3"; Sophomore

#21 Kate Dillon: A; 5' 1"; Junior

#2 Ashley Flick: A; 5' 6"; Junior

#19 Christine Wright: M; 5' 4"; Senior

#30 Samantha Gladd: GK; 5' 8"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#3 Taylor Collins
: 5' 3"; Sophomore
: M

#21 Kate Dillon
: 5' 1"; Junior
: A

#2 Ashley Flick
: 5' 6"; Junior
: A

#19 Christine Wright
: 5' 4"; Senior
: M

#30 Samantha Gladd
: 5' 8"; Freshman
: GK