LE MOYNE (5-4, 4-0) vs. Long Island University (4-7, 4-1)
Saturday, Mar. 30 - 11:00 a.m.
Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium - Brookville, N.Y.
Video: NEC Front Row
Live Stats: https://www.liuathletics.com/sidearmstats/wlax/summary
 
Syracuse, N.Y. – The Le Moyne women's lacrosse team looks to stay undefeated in NEC play when it visits surging Long Island on Saturday.
 
After struggling at the beginning of the year, LIU has won four of its last five matchups, all coming in conference. Long Island started the NEC schedule with an 11-6 win over Saint Francis. The Sharks then dropped a close 7-6 game against Sacred Heart on March 13. Since the loss, LIU has beat Howard, Delaware State and Wagner. The latest victory, a 9-6 win against the Seahawks, was the Sharks' fifth consecutive game holding opponents to under eight goals.
 
Before conference play, Long Island was winless. The Sharks dropped six straight contests to start the year. LIU almost claimed its first victory against Manhattan on February 21, but lost 8-7 in triple overtime. Opponents dominated Long Island, averaging over 14 goals per game. In the NEC, the Sharks allow under 5.5 a contest.
 
Senior Olivia Fantigrossi leads LIU in scoring. The midfielder has 21 goals on the year and has found the back of the net in nine of her 11 appearances. She scored a season-high four goals in a win over Howard on March 16. Fantigrossi is seven for nine on free position opportunities in 2024. She also has three assists and has picked up eight ground balls.
 
Sophomore midfielder Julia Trainor tops Long Island in total points. Trainor has 19 goals and 13 assists this season, the latter being a team-high. She's recorded a point in each of her 11 contests. She scored a season-best four goals against Sacred Heart on March 13. Trainor has five points in each of her last two games. She is also the Sharks' second-best draw control option, winning 45 in 2024.
 
Goalie Mylie Norton split time earlier in the year but has played every minute of LIU's last two matchups. She has more saves than goals allowed in her last two appearances. Norton had a season-best 10 saves in just under 36 minutes against Sacred Heart. 
 
Le Moyne, which went 2-0 against LIU Brooklyn in 2006 and 2007, but is 7-2 against head coach Meghan McNamara-Cafiero during her lengthy career at LIU Post before the two campuses were combined in 2019-20, is on a roll and is winners of four straight. The Dolphins are coming off their largest win of the season, downing FDU 18-8 on Wednesday. Le Moyne is averaging over 11 goals per contest in the NEC. Saturday's game marks just the Dolphins' second road game in conference play.
 
Junior Reagan McQuade impressed against FDU in Le Moyne's most recent game. The attacker led the Dolphins with four goals on as many shots. McQuade had just one goal this season before the win. The performance accounts for over 57% of her points in 2024.
 
Attacker Sarah Hutchings led Le Moyne with five points in the win. The senior notched three goals and two assists against FDU. She's dominated this season, topping the Dolphins with both 17 goals and 13 assists. Hutchings has been on fire as of late, recording 16 points in her last three matchups.
 
Goalies Paige Crandall and Emma Regan both performed for Le Moyne against FDU. Crandall, in her fifth season, got the win against FDU. Regan, a junior, had six saves.
 
The Dolphins' contest against the Sharks is their first of two consecutive road matchups. Le Moyne travels to face Saint Francis on Wednesday, April 3. The Dolphins return home on Saturday, April 6 against Delaware State.