CU Women's Lacrosse Preview - vs. #15 William Smith/#16 Ithaca (4/6-7)

Over the last two weeks the Clarkson University Women's Lacrosse team has cruised to four straight lopsided wins, but the Golden Knights are going to face their toughest challenge of the year this weekend when they host two national-ranked conference foes in 15th-ranked William Smith College and 16th-ranked Ithaca College.

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The Series: The Golden Knights are 1-16 all-time against William Smith, though that victory came just two years ago when Clarkson won on the road, 6-4. Clarkson and Ithaca have never played prior to the Bombers' entrance into the Liberty League.

Key Stats for Clarkson (8-2, 2-1 Liberty League): The Knights kept up their strong scoring barrage last weekend in league play, overwhelming Vassar 17-7 in Poughkeepsie. Clarkson is now averaging 14.2 goals per game thanks to its recent scoring outburst. Two of Clarkson's upperclassmen are closing in on career milestones as senior midfielder Taylor Collins is just one point away from becoming the 15th member of the Knights' 100-point club. A 16th member isn't long off either, as junior Jaid Baytos's recent offensive explosion, which included eight points against the Brewers last Saturday, has her just three points shy of the century mark as well.

Key Stats for William Smith (7-3, 4-0 Liberty League): The Herons went just 3-3 in six non-league games, but have begun to assert themselves during conference games. Olivia Hofmann leads the Liberty League in goals against average at 6.01, but it is Jules Kennedy that has dominated in the crease for William Smith since conference play began, posting a 4.29 goals against average, a .516 save percentage and a flawless 3-0 record in Liberty League contests. Melissa Moore has scored 14 of her team-high 30 points in league games and adds 24 groundballs, 21 draws and 12 caused turnovers to her overall stat line. Mekayla Montgomery leads the team with 24 draws and 14 caused turnovers.

Key Stats for Ithaca (6-3, 3-0 Liberty League): The top scoring offense in the Liberty League at 15 goals per game, the Bombers are equally busy on the defensive end with a league-high 12.56 caused turnovers per contest. Three of the top four scorers in the conference are members of the Bombers. Elizabeth Rice has played in just seven out of nine games, but she ranks second in the league in points per game (5.00 ppg) and first in goals per game (4.14 gpg). Allie Panara is second in the conference in assists (2.11 apg) and third in points (4.67 ppg) while Bailey Herr is fourth in the league in scoring (4.11 ppg). Elizabeth Sauer (29 groundballs, 18 caused turnovers) and Molly Long (20 groundballs, 14 caused turnovers) are the team's leading defenders.

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Players Mentioned

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

#10 Jaid Baytos: M; 5' 9"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

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

#10 Jaid Baytos
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: M

Scoreboard

Players Mentioned

#3 Taylor Collins

#10 Jaid Baytos

Players Mentioned

#3 Taylor Collins

#10 Jaid Baytos