MADISON, N.J. – The Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham women's lacrosse team advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III Women's Lacrosse Tournament after defeating the SUNY Poly Wildcats 11-7 in the first round on Saturday afternoon in Middlebury, VT.
With the win, the Devils (14-6) are now poised to take on host No. 5 Middlebury College (17-1) at Middlebury College's Kohn Field.
Key Information:
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham (14-6 Overall, 6-0 MAC Freedom) at No. 5 Middlebury College Panthers (17-1 Overall, 9-1 NESCAC)
Sunday, May 15 - 1 p.m. at Kohn Field
14 Old Chapel Rd, Middlebury, Vt.
Admission: $5 Adults - $2 Students/Seniors/Children
Middlebury College Visitor's Guide
NCAA Division III Women's Lacrosse Bracket
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Middlebury College Panthers (17-1, 9-1 NESCAC)
Location: Middlebury, Vt.
Conference: New England Small College Athletic Conference
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The Panthers played to a near perfect record, finishing the 2016 season at a 17-1 mark. Following a 10-game winning streak to kick off the year, the Panthers suffered a loss to conference foe, Trinity on April 16. The team bounced back though and rattled off four straight victories before claiming the NESCAC Tournament Championship with a revenge win over Trinity.
The Panthers are no strangers to postseason play as this NCAA Tournament appearance marks the sixth straight and 23rd overall in program history. The Middlebury lineup features four all-conference and eight IWLCA All-Region players.
At the helm is senior attack Bridget Instrum, who led the Panthers and was the leading scorer in the NESCAC with 50 goals on the season. Alongside Instrum was Mary O'Connell. The junior attack led the conference in assists with 37 and totaled a team-high 66 points.
On the offensive end, the Panthers also received contributions from seniors Alli Sciaretta and Laurel Pascal, who combined to score 75 of the team's 250 goals.
The Panthers have outscored their opponents 250-122 in 18 total games. In 18 games, Middlebury has allowed only one opponent to reach double-digit goals.
A trio of midfielders has wreaked havoc on the opposition, causing a bevy of turnovers. Sophomore Evie Keating led the team with 28 caused turnovers and 37 ground balls. Meanwhile, seniors Chrissy Ritter and Pascal have each caused over 20 turnovers.
Senior Katie Mandigo has started 10 games in goal for the Panthers and boasts a 6.63 goals against average.
Team Stats:
Goals per game: 13.89
Goals allowed per game: 6.55
Shots per game: 28.6
Shooting percentage 48.4%
Groundballs: 323
Draw controls: 227
Turnovers: 259
Caused turnovers: 184
FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON UNIVERSITY-FLORHAM DEVILS (14-6, 6-0 MAC FREEDOM)
The Devils enter Sunday's contest red-hot having won their last 11 games, including a pair of 14-4 routs in the MAC Freedom Tournament and a 11-7 victory over SUNY Poly in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament .
This is the third NCAA trip in the program's history with previous appearances in 2008 and last season. Last year's squad knocked off Cabrini College 12-7 in the first round before falling to fifth-ranked Gettysburg College 13-6 in the second game.
FDU-Florham was rewarded for its fantastic season by earning seven All-MAC Freedom honors. Head Coach Adrienne Carr took home her fourth MAC Freedom Coach of the Year award as the Devils swept all the major accolades with Brianna Capobianco (Offensive Player of the Year), Brienna Reasoner (Defensive Player of the Year), and Megan Nemeth (Rookie of the Year).
After a slow 1-4 start to the season, the Devils hit their stride and won 12 of their last 14 contests, including an unbeaten conference slate.
The Devils' offense has featured a balance attack all season with All-MAC Freedom First Team selections Joelle Manganella, Reasoner and Capobianco leading the way. All three players recorded their 100th career goals this season by putting up massive numbers across the board.
Manganella poured in a team-high 46 goals and 66 points, while Reasoner netted 44 goals and Capobianco finished with 39.
Reasoner's play at both ends of the field has been infectious in the team's success. The third-year midfielder led the team with 59 groundballs, 55 draw controls and 43 caused turnovers.
Headed by All-MAC Freedom First Team defender Kelsey Ryan and second team goalkeeper Nemeth, the Devils held opponents to 6.77 goals per contest.
Team Stats:
Goals per game: 11.0
Goals allowed per game: 7.55
Shots per game: 25.7
Shooting percentage 42.8%
Groundballs: 405
Draw controls: 226
Turnovers: 390
Caused turnovers: 226
