April 27, 2010

FARMVILLE, Va. – The Longwood University women's lacrosse program is set to host the 2010 National Lacrosse Conference Tournament on Friday, April 30, through Sunday, May 2, at the Athletics Complex in Farmville. The top-seeded Lancers went a perfect 6-0 in NLC competition this season and will face the winner of #4 University of Detroit Mercy (6-10, 3-3 NLC) and #5 Presbyterian College (3-12, 2-4 NLC) on Saturday, May 1, at 1 p.m.. There will be three games on Friday, beginning at 10 a.m., four games on Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. and two games on Sunday, beginning at 11 a.m.. Admission is free to all nine NLC Tournament games.

“I am excited to [again] host the National Lacrosse Conference Tournament,” said Longwood Director of Athletics Troy Austin. “Postseason competition brings an exciting finality to the year and it provides student-athletes an opportunity to display their talents within a heightened field of competition.”

Longwood enters the tournament with an 8-8 overall record and 6-0 mark in NLC games. The Lancers are led by junior Karli Brentlinger/Gambrills, Md. (South River) with 49 goals and six assists, including three game-winning goals. Junior Cara O'Brien/Arlington (Bishop O'Connell) has added 38 goals with nine assists while senior Page Farmer/Richmond (St. Catherine's) has 25 assists and 10 goals. Longwood claimed the 2009 NLC Tournament with a 19-8 win over Detroit.

“We are looking forward to the tournament and our role as defending champions,” said Longwood head coach Missy Ackerman. “Usually we bill ourselves as the underdog, so to be sitting in this position, will be asking us to focus on that responsibility. We are confident but we'll work like we're accustomed to.”

Other teams participating in the tournament include #2 Davidson College (7-8, 5-1 NLC), #3 Jacksonville University (6-10, 4-2 NLC), #6 Liberty University (1-11, 1-5) and #7 Howard University (2-12, 0-6).

Second-seeded Davidson is led by Jen Crawford with 38 goals and 11 assists. The Wildcats face #7 Howard on Friday at 10 a.m.. The Bison are led by Desiree Cox with 57 goals and eight assists on the season.

Third-seeded Jacksonville leads the nation with 25.38 ground balls per game. Cassie Campasano leads the team with 30 goals. The Dolphins will face #6 Liberty on Friday at 1 p.m.. The Flames are playing their first season of NCAA Division I women's lacrosse and are led by Kristin Crowley with 23 goals.

Fourth-seeded Detroit will face #5 Presbyterian at 4 p.m. on Friday. Detroit is led by Emily Boissonneault who has scored a league-high 55 goals and goalkeeper Brett Yenger who leads the nation with 14 saves per game. Presbyterian is paced by Jenna Handshoe with 30 goals while Brittni Dulaney has added 19 assists.