WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – The William & Mary lacrosse team will open its 2022 slate when it travels to Villanova on Saturday at noon.
Live stats will be available at
Villanova.com, while video of the contest will be streamed on
FloLive.
A Look at the Tribe
Led by Preseason All-CAA standout
Belle Martire, the Tribe returns a talented squad this season. W&M's top five scorers from 2021 are back, highlighted by Martire who ranked fifth in the CAA in goals per game (3.25) and points per game (4.0). Defensively, the Tribe is led by a trio of standouts who ranked among the conference's top 10 in caused turnovers per game last season, as well as multiple veterans who have made significant contributions throughout their careers. Bolstering the roster will be a talented group of 16 freshman, many of whom are expected to make a significant impact.
More season preview information, including positional breakdowns and a video series,
is available here.
Scouting Villanova
Led by first-year head coach Jill Batcheller, who previously served as the lead coach at Drexel during the last three seasons, Villanova was ranked fourth in the preseason BIG EAST coaches poll. The Wildcats are led by a trio of preseason all-conference selections – Sydney Frank (Preseason Defensive Player of the Year), Libby McKenna and Alexa Tsahalis. Frank is the program's all-time career leader in caused turnovers (71) and is the first player in school history to garner the preseason defensive player of the year honor.
| Matchup At A Glance (2021 Stats) |
|
W&M / Opp. |
Villanova / Opp. |
| Goals Avg. |
11.3 / 16.2 |
10.7 / 14.6 |
| Shooting % |
.422 / .477 |
.386 / .477 |
| Assists |
50 / 88 |
97 / 122 |
| Ground Balls |
232 / 228 |
294 / 291 |
| Draw Controls |
156 / 194 |
221 / 234 |
| Turnovers |
197 / 182 |
296 / 262 |
| Caused Turnovers |
108 / 106 |
140 / 154 |
W&M-Villanova All-Time Series
W&M and Villanova have met just twice before, as W&M earned a 14-4 road victory in 1992, while the Wildcats secured a 16-12 win in Williamsburg to open the 2020 campaign.
Last Meeting vs. Villanova
W&M opened the 2020 season with a 16-12 setback to Villanova at Martin Family Stadium.
Belle Martire led the tribe with a team-high five goals on just seven shots and added three draw controls, two caused turnovers and two ground balls.
Versus the BIG EAST
W&M owns a 3-14 all-time record versus teams currently in the BIG EAST. W&M owns a 1-1 mark against Villanova and Connecticut, while it is 1-12 versus Georgetown. The Tribe has never played Butler, Denver or Marquette.
Season Openers
W&M owns a 35-16-1 all-time record in season openers. Many of those contests have come against outstanding competition, as nine of W&M's last 12 season openers have come against nationally ranked opponents, which includes seven ranked among the top five during the recent span.
Among W&M's All-Time Best
One of the most productive attackers in school history,
Belle Martire enters her senior campaign ranked among the top 20 in school history in career goals (112) and points (129). She currently ranks tied for 15th in goals and 19th in points.
Starr Howard also ranks among the Tribe's best in draw controls and ranks eighth all-time with 102. She needs seven more to move into a tie for seventh with Morgan Lang (2003-06), who finished her career with 109 DC.
Captains
W&M is led by a quintet of captains this season –
Belle Martire,
Sabrina Schrader,
Grace Ahonen,
Lauren Russell and
Caroline Donovan. All five captains have distinguished themselves as outstanding leaders both on and off the field throughout their careers.
Up Next
Following this weekend's season opener at Villanova, W&M will return to action when it plays at Richmond next Tuesday at 5 p.m.
