Lacrosse looks to start 2020 season strong

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Lock Haven University lacrosse team prepares to open the 2020 season on the road against Bloomsburg on Tuesday, February 25 at 4:00 p.m.

The Bald Eagles season starts with four non-conference games against Bloomsburg (Feb 25), Georgian Court (Feb 28), Millersville (Mar. 4) and Shippensburg (Mar. 6). Due to conference realignment the games against PSAC East foes Bloomsburg, Millersville and Shippensburg are all included among the non-conference matchups for the Bald Eagles.

The matchup with Georgian Court on Friday, February 28 serves as the home opener for the Bald Eagles who look to defend Charlotte E. Smith Field. Since 2014, the Haven has won 49-56 home games.

The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West season opens for the Bald Eagles on Wednesday, March 11 when the Haven travels to Gannon. The newly realigned West division includes Lock Haven, Edinboro, Gannon, Indiana (Pa.), Mercyhurst, Seton Hill and Slippery Rock.

LHU will face two opponents ranked in the top 25 of the preseason Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) rankings. The Bald Eagles face off in home and away matchups with both No. 25 Indiana (Pa.) and No. 19 Mercyhurst. The No. 25 IUP series kicks off first in Lock Haven on March 14 followed by an away game on April 8. On March 19, the Bald Eagles host No. 19 Mercyhurst before travelling for a late season matchup on April 18.

2020 Season Preview

The 2019 Season: The Lock Haven University lacrosse team wrapped up the 2019 season with a win over Edinboro on Saturday, April 27. The game concluded the 50th Anniversary Celebration season for The Haven Lacrosse program. The Bald Eagles finished the season at 4-13 overall and 2-10 in PSAC play.

Preseason Ranking: The Lock Haven University lacrosse team ranked in the nation will begin the 2020 campaign ranked fifth in the PSAC Coaches’ Preseason Poll for the West Division.

50 Point Club: The Bald Eagles return three players who reached the 50 point mark on the season. Braxtin Reddinger led the trio with 56 points, Caitlin Morrow was just behind with 55 points and Loren Librizzi rounded out the group with 52 points.

Between the Pipes: Goalkeeper Lauren Girardi returns for the 2020 season after setting the all-time Lock Haven record for saves in a single season with 209. The previous mark was 193 set by Kira Nuttall in 2008. Girardi's record-breaking season in goal was second in the conference at 209 saves, and she currently ranks ninth all-time in LHU history with 253 in her career.

All-Conference Returner: Reddinger earned second team All-PSAC honors and ranked eighth in the PSAC in assists registering 24 in the regular season. She finished the regular season ranked fourth in the PSAC in draw controls with 93. Reddinger also ended the season third on the team in goals with 32.

Firepower Returning: The Haven returns the bulk of its roster from last year including nine out of its top ten point getters. Led by the trio with 50 or more points, the Bald Eagles return sophomores Campbell Brant and Zoe Waddell with 23 and 15 points, respectively. Also returning is redshirt senior Karli Gilbert who scored 12 goals last season despite playing in just four games.