Following a successful stint in Florida that saw the squad gain three double-digit wins, the Clarkson University Women's Lacrosse team is looking forward to its first home game of 2017 when the Golden Knights host SUNY Canton on Wednesday afternoon.
The Golden Knights are off to a 6-1 start, the third time they have jumped out to such a record in the past five seasons, while SUNY Canton enters Wednesday's fray with a mark of 2-4. Clarkson is only 3-2 all-time against the Kangaroos, but while the losses have been narrow (-2.0 gpg), the winning margins have been wide (+11.33 gpg).
Clarkson averaged more than 19 goals per game while in Florida and the offense is clicking well thanks to senior Kate Dillon and sophomore Jaid Baitos. Dillon leads the team with 24 goals, having scored 15 times in the past three contests, while Baitos is the top performer in points overall with 27 (17-10), having contributed 19 in the last three games. Freshman Katie Sergeant has also been hot lately, having scored 12 of her 15 goals this year in Florida. Taylor Collins (9-5-14, 21 groundballs, 17 draw controls) and Abby Collins (9-3-12, 9 caused turnovers, 10 draw controls) also have contributed in the midfield, while Stephanie Scaia leads the defense with 11 groundballs and eight caused turnovers. Sophomore goalkeeper Samantha Gladd is posting an 8.06 goals against average and a .411 save percentage.
The Kangaroos finally got on the winning side of things this weekend as they swept a pair of games from Houghton and Morrisville State, but they still have allowed nearly twice as many goals (81) as they have scored (44). MaryClare Bowes leads the team with 15 points on 12 goals and three assists, while Katelyn Nutter (8-3) and Allison Auger (5-6) each have tallied 11 points. Theresa DiMartin and Lora Ardoin have both scored five goals or better in the young season as well. Amanda Woods has chipped in nine points with a team-best seven assists to go along with two goals, but her main contribution has been in the middle of the field, where she leads the team with 25 groundballs, 15 caused turnovers and 16 draw controls. Abbey Diabo has also been the cause of 12 turnovers for the Roos, while Becca Kiefer has posted 52 saves and a .426 save percentage through five contests in the Canton crease.
