May 4, 2006
ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. -
It's been a year of firsts for the St. Bonaventure lacrosse team. This season, the brown and white captured their first win against a ranked opponent, earned their first-ever national ranking and Friday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. will attempt to win their first Atlantic 10 Tournament game.
The third-seeded Bonnies will take on second-seeded Temple in the opening round of the tournament hosted by The George Washington University at Mount Vernon Sports Complex. Both teams finished in a tie for second place in the conference with a 5-2 mark, but the Owls earned the second seed thanks to their win over St. Bonaventure last weekend.
This season, the Bonnies have compiled a school record 14 wins and were the last undefeated team (12-0) in Division I. In the midst of that hot start, St. Bonaventure handed then-No. 9 Richmond its only conference loss of the season, 12-10, at McGraw-Jennings Field. The Bonnies hard work didn't go unrecognized as they vaulted into the 18th spot in the national poll on April 18 - its first-ever ranking.
A win on Friday will advance the Bonnies to the championship game on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. against the Richmond vs. UMass winner. The Atlantic 10 Champion earns an automatic berth into the field of 16 in the NCAA Division I Women's Lacrosse Tournament.
SCOUTING THE OWLS: One of the hottest teams in the A-10, Temple has won five of its last six games. The Owls were upended by Duquesne in their regular season finale, snapping a five-game win streak. Temple had five players named to the All-Conference teams on Wednesday. First team selection Corey Leader heads the Owls attack with 30 goals. Temple is 10-3 all-time in A-10 post season play and has won four of the last five Championships.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS: One the most proficient offenses in the nation, the St. Bonaventure attack leads the A-10 in points per game (19.75), goals per game (13.75), assists per game (6.0), draw controls per game (14.06) and shots per game (32.8). Five-time A-10 Rookie of the Week Katelyn Faas leads the conference in both points (4.12) and goals (3.3) per game and has a Bonaventure single season record 53 goals. Sophomore Brenna Houghton has a league-leading 39 assists to highlight her 54 points. Junior Katie Hurley earned her first All-Conference accolade on Wednesday. She ranks second on the club with 37 goals and third with 49 points. A native of Syracuse, N.Y., Nicole Motondo has 46 points on 36 goals and 10 assists. Senior Courtney Gibbons was named All-Conference for the second straight year and has 27 goals. Senior Sarah Dressler (12) and sophomore Kimberly Ross (14) have also reached double digits in goals.
THERES NO PLACE LIKE ... THE CAGE: Sophomore Eboni Preston has solidified herself as the Bonnies first option in net with her strong play this season. The New Windsor, Maryland native, is 9-2 this season, including 5-2 in A-10 play. An All-Conference honorable mention selection, Preston ranks second in the conference in save percentage and saves per game. She is currently tied with teammate Eileen Gagnon for first place in the Bona record books with 14 career wins.
A CLASS TO REMEMBER: St. Bonaventure's graduating class of six seniors has posted a record of 46-20 over their four seasons. All natives of New York, they have led the Bonnies to four straight seasons of 10 or more wins and three A-10 Tournament appearances. Sarah Dressler, Courtney Gibbons, Kate McNerney, Nicole Motondo, Meghan Snihur and Alexis Spallone have combined to score 333 goals.
A PROGRAM ON THE RISE: In just five short years, head coach Tony Zostant has elevated St. Bonaventure lacrosse to new heights. After earning the 100th win of his coaching career last season, Zostant captured his 50th win at St. Bonaventure against Niagara on April 14th. He has a mark of 53-29 over his five seasons at the helm and has led the Bonnies to a 12-0 and 10-0 start. Under his tutelage, the Bonnies have made the Atlantic 10 Tournament three times in the last four years.
