WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – The William & Mary lacrosse team will open its 2024 slate when it squares off against George Mason at
The St. James in Springfield, Va., on Friday at 6 p.m.
The game will be broadcast on
ESPN+, while live stats will be available at
GoMason.com.
Complete game day information is available below.
A Look at the Tribe
With nine returning players who started at least 10 games last season, W&M enters the upcoming campaign eager to build upon a tremendous 2023 campaign in which it posted the program's best record – and the team's most conference wins – since 2011.
Sam Van Gieson (19g, 5a) and
Justyce Barber (18g, 5a) are the Tribe's top returning scorers, while
Maresa Moyer (15g, 4a),
Paige Gilbert (15g, 3a),
Serena Jacobs (14g, 9a) and
Sydney Witwer (14g, 2a) are also expected to once again provide significant offensive production. Preseason All-CAA selection
Caroline Hertzberg highlights a talented defensive unit that will also feature the return of last season's starting goalie,
Elise Palmer.
Scouting George Mason
Led by former W&M assistant coach Kara Mupo, Mason recorded a 2-13 overall record last season and a 2-7 mark in its A-10 slate. The Patriots return their top four scorers from last season, led by Shannon Tuozzo who totaled a team-high 48 points (41g, 7a). Tuozzo also led the team in draw controls, while Lauren Distad returns after totaling 55 last season. A four-year starter in goal, Meghan Deehan will also help lead the Patriots.
| Matchup At A Glance (2023 Final Stats) |
|
W&M / Opp. |
GMU / Opp. |
| Goals Avg. |
10.0 / 13.5 |
8.2 / 15.2 |
| Shooting % |
.384 / .421 |
.364 / .485 |
| Assists |
61 / 97 |
38 / 111 |
| Ground Balls |
254 / 304 |
172 / 237 |
| Draw Controls |
188 / 245 |
209 / 198 |
| Turnovers |
264 / 250 |
230 / 180 |
| Caused Turnovers |
128 / 158 |
76 / 104 |
W&M-Mason All-Time Series
W&M leads the all-time series against George Mason, 9-4, and won eight of the first nine meetings. However, the Patriots have won three of the last four matchups, including the most recent meeting in 2020.
Last Meeting vs. Mason
W&M fell at George Mason, 20-11, in its first road game of the 2020 season. Although W&M trailed by just one midway through the first half, 4-3, the Patriots closed the opening stanza with a 7-1 run to build an 11-4 lead at halftime. While the Tribe posted four unanswered goals to begin the second half, Mason responded with a 7-0 run to pull away for the non-conference victory.
Season Openers
W&M owns a 36-17-1 all-time record in season openers. Many of those contests have come against outstanding competition, as nine of W&M's last 14 season openers have come against nationally ranked opponents, which includes seven ranked among the top five during the recent span.
Looking for a Strong Start
As W&M opens its season looking for a strong start, it will do so with four of its first five games coming on the road. Additionally, the Tribe will play its first nine games in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Seizing the Moment
W&M will look to continue a trend that began last season when it thrived in close games. In addition to posting a 2-0 record in overtime, it recorded a 4-0 mark in games decided by just one goal.
Record Watch
One of the most successful goalies in school history,
Elise Palmer enters her junior season ranked ninth in school history in career saves (295). She needs just 24 more saves to pass Lisa Dixon for ninth on the all-time list.
Caroline Hertzberg currently ranks 10th all-time at W&M in draw controls (104), while her 51 career caused turnovers is just one shy of moving into the program's all-time top-10 list.
Courtney Vasquenza is also closing in on W&M's top-10 list for caused turnovers with 35.
Up Next
Following this weekend's season opener against Mason, W&M will return to action when it hosts Old Dominion at Martin Family Stadium on Feb. 17 at 1 p.m.
Clear Bag Policy
William & Mary Athletics, in conjunction with the William & Mary Police Department, has implemented a clear bag policy that regulates the size and type of bag that may be carried into W&M Athletics facilities during the 2023-24 year, including Busch Field, Kaplan Arena, Martin Family Stadium, Plumeri Park, and Zable Stadium. Information as well as approved and prohibited items is available at
TribeAtheltics.com.
