Six Things you need to know about 2023 RIT Women’s Lacrosse
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ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The RIT women’s lacrosse team opens its 2023 season on Wednesday (March 1) at Brockport. Here the six things you need to know about the Tigers heading into the season.
1. VETERAN LEADERS
Seniors Maiah Fallone and Baylee West were selected team captains in 2023. West was fifth on the team in scoring last season, while Fallone caused two turnovers and had three ground balls.
2. NEWCOMERS
RIT adds 11 first-year student-athletes and two transfer in Lily DePalma and Michelle Messenger to the roster.
3. WHEN THE TIGERS HAVE THE BALL
Senior Baylee West returns as the Tigers leading scorer after scoring a career-high 20 goals. She finished fourth in the Liberty League winning a career-best 74 draw controls. Senior Kayleigh Ground tallied a career-high seven goals and nine points last season. First-years Adele Jones and Zoe Heffernan will start on attack. DePalma and first years Morgan Nichter, Milena Stephen and Serafina Kiselgof will see time at midfield.
4. DEFENSE…DEFENSE
Sophomore defenders Claire Templeton, Jane Hudson and Jaimee Triolo return this season. Templeton led the Tigers with 16 caused turnovers, while Hudson caused seven turnovers and scooped up two ground balls. First year Rachel Kulp will start on defense.
5. GOALIE
Sophomore Linda Nutter returns after making 95 saves her first season. Graduate student transfer Michelle Messenger was the MAAC Goaltender of the Year at Niagara in 2021 and 2022, while first-year Ellie Ruddy will compete for time in goal.
6. 2023 SCHEDULE
Fourth-year head coach Erin Wagner and the Tigers are scheduled to play 16 regular season games, including 10 in the Liberty League. The Tigers will play eight games at home, and eight on the road. William Smith (No. 9), Ithaca (No. 10), St. Lawrence (No. 14) and Geneseo (No. 23) are ranked in the IWLCA Division III Poll.
RIT plays six non-conference games beginning March 1 at Brockport. The Tigers host Nazareth (March 4) and John Carroll (March 10) before a pair of nonconference games in Clearwater, Florida against Farmingdale (March 13) and Marywood (March 15). The Tigers wrap up their non-conference schedule at Geneseo (April 12).
RIT begins Liberty League play at Clarkson (March 18). The Tigers host Vassar (March 24), Bard (March 25) and wrap up March against Rochester (March 29). RIT hosts RPI (April 1) and William Smith (April 5) before three straight road games at Ithaca (April 15), Union (April 21) and Skidmore (April 22). The Tigers wrap up the regular season at home against St. Lawrence (April 29).
