DEFENDING BIG SOUTH CHAMPION DUELS WITH WOMEN’S LACROSSE, SATURDAY

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RADFORD, Va. – Radford concludes its three-game homestand Saturday at 1 p.m. when defending Big South women's lacrosse champion Winthrop visits Cupp Stadium for both teams' conference opener.

SETTING THE STAGE
- Location: Cupp Stadium (Radford, Va.)
- Time: 1 p.m.
- Live Stats
- Live Video

HIGHLANDER HIGHLIGHTS
The Highlanders (1-6) have a tall task ahead of them this weekend as they host a team that posted a 6-1 record in conference action last season. Their only setback was to High Point in the 2015 regular-season finale.

Nonetheless, Radford is raising some eyebrows in its first season. RU is leading the league in shot percentage (.480) and saves per game (12.43).

Individually, Adrian Rius holds a conference-best 4.71 draw controls per game. Juliette Ruland is right behind at 3.43. In goal, Hannah Rosen has recorded 87 saves. Her 12.43 saves per game rank first in the Big South.

Behind six goals over her last two games, Gracie Peterson has taken the team lead in goals (17). She scored five times in the Highlanders' 19-13 loss to Kennesaw State. Peterson also has a team-best six assists to give her 23 points in her freshman campaign.

Emma Rogers and Ruland have also reached double-figure scoring with 15 and 12 goals, respectively. Rosen has Radford's top mark in ground balls (26) and her 3.71 ground balls per game rank second in the Big South.

SCOUTING WINTHROP
Winthrop (9-2), in just its fourth year of fielding a women's lacrosse program, has quickly risen to the top of the Big South. From winning nine games in their first season to a program-record 17 last year, the Eagles have found success early in their existence. They went 6-1 in conference action last season en route to the regular season and tournament championships.

In the midst of a four-game road swing, Winthrop is coming off a 7-6 triumph at UMBC on March 19. That win snapped a two-game skid by the Eagles. They will wrap up their road stretch at Liberty on Wednesday.

Shannon Gallagher is Winthrop's top goal scorer, netting 23 goals. She converted four goals against UMBC. Kristen Shriver has delivered a team-best 32 points (18 goals, 14 assists) for the Eagles.

Alaina Girani, a local product from Wirtz, Va., is in her second season guarding Winthrop's goal. She was the 2015 Big South Freshman of the Year after leading the conference in goals against average and save percentage. Girani is on pace to repeat that feat as a sophomore, owning the top mark among Big South players in GAA (6.43) and save percentage (.555).

UP NEXT
Radford hits the road for its next two Big South tilts. First up is Wednesday's trip to Gardner-Webb. Opening draw is scheduled for 5 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#4 Juliette Ruland: A/MF; 5' 11"; Freshman

#15 Adrian Rius: A/MF; 5' 9"; Freshman

#25 Hannah Rosen: GK; 5' 5"; Freshman

#16 Gracie Peterson: A; 5' 6"; Freshman

#14 Emma Rogers: A/MF; 5' 7"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#4 Juliette Ruland
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: A/MF

#15 Adrian Rius
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: A/MF

#25 Hannah Rosen
: 5' 5"; Freshman
: GK

#16 Gracie Peterson
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: A

#14 Emma Rogers
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: A/MF