Women's Lacrosse Looks To Continue Building As 2024 Season Opens

After one of the most successful Atlantic 10 campaigns in recent program history, LeighAnn Stauffer looks to take the St. Bonaventure women’s lacrosse team to new heights in her second season at the helm.

In just her first year with the program, the 2017 Bona grad led her team to their first Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament appearance in 15 years. She was awarded the honor of A-10 Co-Coach of the Year for her efforts. 

This Bonnies squad is loaded with experience as they return 17 upperclassmen including one grad student, and bring back 10 sophomores who were vital to Bona’s success a year ago. 

“Our sophomore class has a lot more confidence having a year under their belts, and this senior class is ready to leave it all out there,” Stauffer said. “Everybody in between is working really well together and excited to play together. They are definitely going to ride for each other and that’s all we can ask for as a coaching staff.” 

The fall semester was all business for Stauffer and her team whom she describes as “primed and prepped” for the season ahead. 

In net, the Bonnies have veteran grad student Ashely Herrick who started all 18 games a year ago while posting six wins. Her 154 saves were the third-most in the A-10. 

The lone fifth-year player on the team, she was selected to serve as one of the team's three captains this season. 

Freshman goalkeeper Katelyn Hicks is someone Stauffer and the staff are excited about. From Long Island, N.Y., Hicks was named NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete in 2022 while playing for Islip High School. Stauffer describes Hicks as “a stud in the cage,” and they are excited to see what she can add to the team in her first year.

Offensively, the Bonnies return seven of their top-10 point scorers from 2023, including junior Fiona McGovern who was named to the Preseason All-Conference squad.  The Cortlandt Manor, N.Y. native more than tripled her production as a sophomore after being named to the 2022 Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team. She improved from 13 goals in her freshman year to 47 in her sophomore season and posted 23 assists to her three the previous year. 

Her outstanding sophomore year represented the fourth-most points from a St. Bonaventure player in a single season. She sits behind Molly Hastrich, '10, who had 77 and 71 points in 2009 and 2010, and Kelly Chavez, '05 who scored 72 points in 2004. 
 
McGovern has left her mark all over the Bona's record book in just 31 games, climbing to 21st in career points (86) and 18th in career assists (26).

McGovern was a force to be reckoned with in the Atlantic 10 as she was inside the top-10 in goals, assists, and points per game. She also ranked third in all of Division I for free-position goals per game with 1.33. Her 24 free-position goals were the most from any St. Bonaventure player in a season in program history.

Adding to Bona’s experience on the attack are senior Abby Hiltz, redshirt sophomore Jessica Notaro, sophomore Grace Hollenbeck, and junior Tori Nascimento. 

Hiltz has become a vital part of the Bonnies attack, tallying 45 points (27G, 18A) in her junior year. 

Notaro is coming off her first year of action with the Bonnies where she was named to the 2023 Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team for her offensive prowess. She put up 41 points on 36 goals and five assists.

Hollenbeck and Nascimento also look to continue their success on the offensive end for Bona’s. 

“They’re very very strong one-vs-one,” Stauffer said. “They’re learning more and more how to play together each day and they’re putting the ball in the back of the net."

Joining the returners on the attack is sophomore transfer Rylee Gonzalez. The Syracuse native spent her freshman season at Gardner-Webb where she played in all 17 games while starting in five. In her first year, she tallied the second most assists by a freshman in school history (15) and is tied for fourth in points by a first-year player with 28. 

“Gonzalez is sneaky and shifty behind the cage,” Stauffer said. “We are excited to see what she can do in the A-10.”

In the midfield, captain Kassi Hogan returns for her senior year with the Bonnies. Hogan caused 18 turnovers and picked up 20 ground balls in 2023 while scoring 12 goals with two helpers. 

Riley Schott is returning for her fourth year with the Bonnies and hopes to make her impact on the offensive end. She has been named a captain along with Hogan and Herrick.  

Joining them at midfield are sophomores Brooke Piper and Megan Schillinger. 

Piper won 44 draw controls as a freshman and caused 10 turnovers. She added to the Bona offense as well with 22 goals and nine assists. She is a tough one-vs-one defender and possesses a quick trigger on offense, making her a threat all over the field. 

Schillinger, also back for her sophomore season, will be the Bonnies main option on the draw this year. She figures to be a tough presence on offense and defense and is ready to do the work for Coach Stuaffer. 

Entering the program as a freshman is Toronto native Olivia Peeler. Peeler figures to play a more defensive midfield role while showing off her speed around the draw circle. 

Defensively, the Bonnies bring back 2023 A-10 All-Rookie Team selection Brit Colangelo. Colangelo caused 25 turnovers and picked up 38 groundballs in her freshman season.  

Juniors Brooke Cicoria and Grace Burns return on as well along with sophomore Kate Hennessey and senior Paige Syzmusiak.

The Bonnies' non-conference slate is filled with familiar opponents. 

Starting Feb. 14, they play at Akron and then welcome in Bucknell on Feb. 21. Bona matched up with both squads last season, winning the contest against Akron before dropping their game with the Bison. 

St. Bonaventure will take on their fellow Franciscan foe in Siena on Feb. 24. 

Over spring break, the team heads west for a pair of Pac-12 opponents in UC Davis and Cal. 

“It’s definitely great competition for us out of conference and preparing us for conference play,” Stauffer said about the trip to California. “We’re going to have fun while we’re over there, but it’s a business trip, and those games are huge for us.” 

Saint Francis (PA), Canisius, and Youngstown State round out the Bonnies non-conference matches. 

Atlantic 10 action begins at home on Mar. 8 for the Bonnies against George Washington. Their home A-10 slate includes games against Duquesne (March 20), Saint Joseph’s (April 6), and VCU (April 27). 

The Bonnies travel to La Salle (March 16), Massachusetts (March 23), Richmond (March 30), George Mason (April 13), and Davidson (April 20).