Geoff Schneider

Trio of Ohio Opponents on Deck for Women's Lacrosse

3/5/2025 12:00:00 PM

By: CONTACT: Max Sacco, Assistant Athletics Communications Director | msacco@daemen.edu

GOING TO O-H-I-O
The Daemen University women's lacrosse team has a trio of Ohio opponents on tap as they welcome Walsh to Coyer Field on March 6. The Wildcats will then head to the Buckeye State for a pair of games against Findlay (March 8) and Ashland (March 10).

ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
After earning her first collegiate win last week against Lake Erie on Feb. 28, freshman goalie Molly Evans (Fulton, N.Y.) was tabbed the East Coast Conference Rookie of the Week, the league office announced Monday afternoon. The Fulton, N.Y., native made a season-high eight saves while allowing just two goals in Daemen's 15-2 win over Lake Erie. The Daemen freshman goalkeeper did not allow a single goal while the 'Cats were playing down a player and helped Daemen go a perfect 15-of-15 on clears in the win. It was the first instance since April 1, 2024, at Malone that the Blue and White did not fail a clearing attempt.

WIN NO. 1
Head women's lacrosse coach Emily Bitka picked up her first collegiate win as Daemen defeated Lake Erie, 15-2, back on Feb. 28 at home. Senior midfielder Camryn Day (Hamburg, N.Y.) paced the Daemen offense with four goals and two assists for six total points. Also helping the Daemen attack was sophomore attacker Shannen Calandra (Rome, N.Y.) who matched Day's six points with a season-high four assists and two goals. Senior midfielder Katelynn Deveans (Buffalo, N.Y.) tallied two goals for three total points along with a team-high two ground balls. Additionally, junior midfielder Ella Bouley (Auburn, N.Y.) and freshman attacker Adison Pollutro (West Seneca, N.Y.) added two points each with a goal and an assist. Daemen never trailed the entire contest and did not allow a single first half goal to the Storm as well. Overall, Daemen outshot Lake Erie, 33-13, and held a 12-7 edge in draw controls.

BACK IN THE BLUE AND WHITE
The 'Cats return 16 players to their roster from last season including two of their top three scorers from 2024 with Castner and junior Ella Bouley (Auburn, N.Y.). Bouley led the 'Cats offense in both goals (32), total points (45) and draw controls (48) while Castner ranked second on the squad in points with 32. Also back this season for the Blue and White is sophomore Shannen Calandra (Rome, N.Y.) who ranked ninth in the ECC last season for assist per game at .88. On the defensive side of the ball, junior Jenna Havert is back after she led Daemen in ground balls with 33. For Bouley, she currently has 81 career points (61 gls, 20 ast) and is two away from passing Dana Bacher who owns the record with 82 points (69 gls, 13 asts).

A LOOK AT THE POLLS
Daemen University was tabbed fifth in the 2025 East Coast Conference Women's Lacrosse Preseason Coaches' Poll following a vote of the leagues seven coaches. Roberts Wesleyan, the defending ECC Tournament and regular season champions, topped the poll with 49 points and secured all seven first-place votes. Mercy landed in second place with 42 points and Molloy rounded out the top three with 34 points of their own. D'Youville was tabbed fourth with 29 points with Daemen close behind in fifth with 21 points. St. Thomas Aquinas (14 points) and District of Columbia (7 points) rounded out the remainder of the poll. The ECC Women's Lacrosse Championship semifinal is slated for May 1 and the final set for three days later on May 4 with the top four teams qualifying for the postseason.

SCOUTING WASLH (1-4)
The Cavaliers won their first game of 2025 on March 2 as they defeated Charleston, 11-7, at home. Katie Coomes has led the Walsh attack with a team-high 14 goals and 18 points while Grace Santee has provided a team-best 10 assists and is the only player to eclipse double-digit assists on the young year. In net, Alison O'Hanian earned the lone win of the year for the Cavs and made a team-best 36 saves.

SERIES HISTORY
Walsh is 2-0 all-time against Daemen.

SCOUTING FINDLAY (1-4)
Findlay was defeated 26-1 by No. 5 Maryville in their last game on March 2. The Oilers lone win of the year was back on Feb. 28 when they squeaked out an 11-10 win over Lewis on the road in Romeoville, Ill. Tessa Chuba has led Findlay in goals (10), assists (4) and total points (14) while in net, Caroline Weber was credited with the Oilers lone win of the year.

SERIES HISTORY
Daemen is 0-2 all-time against Findlay.

SCOUTING ASHLAND (2-1)
The Eagles took a trip out west to Colorado defeated CSU Pueblo, 17-13, in their most recent contest. Ashley Fisher and Rachel Crumbacher have led Ashland in goals with 10 while Fisher leads the team in total points (19) and assists (9). Betwee the sticks, Annie Duncan has started all three games and compiled 25 saves.

SERIES HISTORY
Ashland squeaked out a 10-9 win over Daemen in their lone prior meeting back on March 19, 2023.

UP NEXT
Daemen continues their road swing with a trip to Gannon on March 15. Opening draw is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Daemen University features the premier NCAA Division II athletics program in the Buffalo-Niagara region, sponsoring 17 intercollegiate teams. For the latest information on Daemen Athletics, follow the Wildcats via social media on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram, or sign up to receive customizable news alerts, e-mail newsletters and weekly schedule alerts.

Follow the Daemen women's program on Twitter and Instagram at @DaemenWLAX.

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