GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The nationally ranked Colorado Mesa Mavericks women's lacrosse team will face Westminster this Friday March 1 on Walker Field at 7 pm. The Mavs are 1-0 on the short season after defeating CSU-Pueblo in a non-conference match up, 15-8. The Mavericks have now opened up their season with a win the past three consecutive years.
In the Mavericks last outing nine different Mavs recorded goals including a hat-trick from both Olivia Hayden and Marissa Leonardi.
Erin Koehler picked up seven ground balls and caused four turnovers, good enough to earn RMAC Defensive Player of the Week back on Feb 20. As one of the Mavericks best defenders she has totaled 79 ground balls in her career. Koehler and Head Coach Shanta Loecker recently sat down with the media to discuss this upcoming week. To view the interview click the video link provided in this preview's image.
National Ranking
As of Feb 25 the Mavericks checked in at No. 21 in the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association moving up one spot from the previous poll. The 2019 Coaches Poll will include 25 teams and be released weekly during the regular season. The final regular season poll for the 2019 season will be published on May 6.
Lindenwood and Grand Valley State each own a spot on this poll at No. 4 and No. 16, respectively. The Mavs will face both of these teams in the weeks to come. They will face Grand Valley State following the Westminster game on March 5 and take on Lindenwood March 9. Both of these ranked opponents will travel to Walker Field for their games.
The Mavs will see No. 9 Regis University once this year on the road in Denver on April 6.
For a look at the entire top 25 IWLCA Poll click the link provided above.
Scouting Westminster
Westminster is 0-2 on the season after falling to Rollins and Saint Leo University earlier this season. In a combined score between those two teams the Griffins got outscored 39-6.
As far as within the RMAC, Westminster was picked fourth in the Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Griffins finished last season with a 6-7 record and a fifth place finish in RMAC play at 5-4. Katie Hendershott leads the Griffins with two goals on the season
Last season the Mavericks defeated Westminster two different times. In their most recent meeting on April 4 of last season the Mavs defeated Westminster 20-7.
Next Up
Following the Westminster game the Mavericks next four games will all take place at Walker Field.
March 5 vs. Grand Valley State at 5 pm
March 9 vs. Lindenwood at 1 pm
March 13 vs. Rockhurst at 4 pm
March 15 vs. Oklahoma Baptist at 4 pm
