Lacrosse | 4/9/2015 4:02:00 PM

AVE MARIA, Fla. –  After a three week hiatus, the Ave Maria Women's lacrosse team is back in action taking on two NWLL opponents this upcoming weekend in Hardeeville, Sc. On Friday afternoon the Lady Gyrenes will play St. Andrews at 2 p.m. AMU will finish out their regular season against #1 SCAD on Sunday afternoon.
The winner of the AMU/SCAD game will then host the two team regional final on Sunday, April 19th at noon.  The winner of the regional championship will earn a bid to the national tournament on the campus of Lindenwood-Bellleville in Belleville, Ill.

AMU lacrosse is currently 2-8 overall; 1-5 in NWLL play.

GREEN AND BLUE NEWS
AMU has not played since their 10-16 loss to Columbia College at North Park on Sunday, March 22.he Ave Maria Women's Lacrosse team lost to Columbia College 10-16.
The Fighting Koalas were first on the scoreboard, after both teams went scoreless in the first five minutes of the game. Lydia Buckley responded two minutes later with a goal of her own to even the score at 1-1. Columbia was able to go on a small run; scoring three more goals in less than two minutes. AMU responded well in the next 15 minutes, controlling the tempo of the game. With the offense in the Gyrene's hands starting from the draw, the Koalas had a narrow one goal lead, 8-7 with 2:30 left to go in the half. The visiting Koalas were able to score one more time in the half to increase their lead heading into halftime. With 7:20 left in the game, and the Gyrenes down by three, Columbia was able to gain possession off the draw and use the game clock to their advantage. AMU was forced to attack the ball and take chances, which led to three more goals in the closing minutes. Leading the way offensively for AMU was Buckley with four goals. Abby Castro scored two, while Catie Cox, Marina Gonzales, Kaylin Mayeski, and Valeria Tkacik each scored one. Cox was a difference maker on the draw for AMU with nine draw controls, as Tkacik contributed three. Goalie, Hannah Camerota had 12 saves for the Blue and White.
 
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Lydia Buckley, Jr. Att. – 17 goals, 30 draw controls
Abby Castro, So. Mid. – 12 goals, 35 groundballs, 19 caused turnovers, 17 draw controls
Catie Cox, Sr. Mid.  – 40 ground balls, 11 caused turnovers, 17 draw controls
Valeria Tkacik, Fr. Def. – 4 assists, 24 groundballs, 9 caused turnovers, 15 draw controls
Kaylin Mayeski, Fr. Att. - 13 goals, 2 assists

SCOUTING THE KNIGHTS
St, Andrews is currently 3-10 under head coach, Lexi King. The reigning Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) offensive player of the week, Joelle-Sara Prata led the Knights to a 9-7 victory over Pikeville last week. In the victory, Prata finished with four goals and eight groundballs. Prata also finished with three caused turnovers and one draw control. The Knights are led by Prata who has netted 20 goals and added four assists.

SCOUTING THE BEES
Head coach Adrienne Berkland had led the Bees to a #1 NWLL ranking throughout the season – losing only to conference foe Georgetown College and NCAA DII opponent, Florida Tech with a regular season record of 9-2. The Bees are led by Kayla Nelson is the reigning NWLL Defensive player of the week. In their 18-3 victory over Point; Nelson scored four goals and had two assists. She also had three caused turnovers, along with eight draw controls. Goalie, Jenny Danko made 12 saves in the win.
 
NWLL TOP TEN POLL – WEEK 6
1. SCAD (Ga)
2. Davenport (Mi)
3. Georgetown (Ky)
4. Indiana Tech (In)
5. Siena Heights (Mi)
6. Lawrence Tech (Mi)
7. Tennessee Wesleyan (Tn)
8. Oklahoma Baptist (Ok)
9. Reinhardt  (Ga)
10.Aquinas (Mi)

SOUTH REGION CHANGES IN 2016
Currently, AMU is in the South Region with SCAD, which will only grant one team a bid to the National Tournament. Next season, AMU will be a part of the reconstructed NWLL South Region that will consist of SCAD, University of Cumberland, University of Pikeville, Georgetown College, and Asbury University. Two teams; will compete in the National Tournament; as one team will get the automatic bid, and one team will receive the at-large bid.

Next year's championship will be on the campus of Davenport University.