Women's lacrosse takes on VCU in home opener

Scouting the Retrievers

UMBC looks to bounce back after dropping their season opener with a 14-4 loss to Towson this past Wednesday. The Retrievers host VCU for their first game of the 2016 season at UMBC Stadium this Saturday, Feb. 20, at 3:00 p.m. The game is the second of a triple-header at UMBC, with women's lacrosse, men's lacrosse and men's basketball all playing host.
Junior goalkeeper Ashley Peacock (Crofton, Md./Elizabeth Seton) started in net against the Tigers and made nine saves in her first appearance with UMBC. Despite aggressive defense by the Retrievers, they could not hold back a relentless Towson attack.
Sophomore attacker Carolyn Jamison (Westminster, Md./Westminster) led the offense with two goals. Junior attacker Sam Nolan (Fallston, Md./Fallston) and sophomore midfielder Laura Osborne (Chesapeake Beach, Md./Huntingtown) each chipped in with a goal apiece, and sophomore Marissa Davey (Ellicott City, Md./Marriotts Ridge) assisted on both second half goals.
UMBC will need to do a better job controlling draws, as they managed to bring in just five against Towson's 15. Despite the trouble at the dot, the Retrievers fought for possession by playing a strong ground ball game, scooping up 13 to the Tigers' 12.

Scouting the Rams

VCU won their first intercollegiate game with a 21-9 victory over Gardner-Webb on Valentine's Day.
Freshman attacker Molly Barcikowski led the Rams with five goals and four assists.
Freshman midfielder Mackenzie Galli also notched a hat trick, and was one of 11 Rams to put in goals.
Freshmen goalies Ria Peralta and Jodi Enfield split time in net, facing eight shots apiece. Peralta got the win with four saves in a full half of play.
The Rams are coach by former UMBC standout Jen (Kasper) O'Brien, who played four seasons with the Retrievers.
O'Brien was a four year starter with the Retrievers, raking up 86 goals and 56 assists for 142 points in her career.

Inside the series