Rowan women’s lacrosse is gearing up for their biggest test of the season, as the Franklin & Marshall Diplomats come to Glassboro on Wednesday, April 9, in what is bound to be an exciting game.

Franklin & Marshall enters the matchup with a 9-1 record and is currently ranked No. 4 in the most recent Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) rankings.

The Diplomats’ schedule is one of the toughest in the nation, having faced eight nationally-ranked opponents and winning all but one, a close defeat to Colby College, who are currently ranked a spot above them at No. 3. 

Franklin & Marshall looks primed to make another national tournament run after making it all the way to the Final Four last season, so it’s obvious they will be a serious test for the Profs.

“They are a returning Final Four team, with a solid amount of talent returning. Anyone can be a threat at any time,” head coach Lindsay Delaney said.

The Profs have also faced a tough schedule of their own, and were recently ranked No. 11 in the first National Power Index (NPI), which are the rankings the Championship Committee uses for the postseason. The Diplomats are currently ranked No. 3 in these rankings.

Expect the Profs’ high-octane offense to continue to do what they’ve done all season, as they look to show they can continue to be the dominant force they’ve been against nationally-ranked foes. 

Leading the charge will be Elaina Corson, who’s scored 41 goals this season. Other key players to look out for offensively will be Calista Burke, Fiona Lockhart, and Molly Green, who have all surpassed 20 goals this season. 

The Profs’ experience throughout the lineup gives them an edge over most teams in the nation, as they return multiple seniors as well as graduate students such as goalkeeper Mel Rodgers.

One of the keys that will allow the Profs to thrive offensively will be limiting the Franklin & Marshall offensive attack. Being able to force and capitalize on the few mistakes a team as strong as F&M make will be key to allowing the Profs to take control early.

Rowan has been hard at work in practice, making sure they’re ready to perform, preparing all facets of their game so they are ready for the challenges that Franklin & Marshall will present to them. 

“We’ve pretty much been focusing on ourselves and our strengths as a whole,” Sophia Schiavo said. “Obviously still aware of what they might do against us, but knowing that it ultimately is going to come down to what we wanna do against them to come out on top.”

Delaney is confident that the work her team has put in will show when it’s time to face off with the Diplomats.

“We are ready. Our offense will have an attack mindset and finish. Our defense will protect Mel and work as a unit. Overall, we will need to win the 50/50 balls and capitalize on any mistakes F&M makes,” Delaney said.

When asked about what advantages they have against top teams like F&M, Schiavo was confident in the trust the team has with one another, along with the work they’ve put into practice.

“The trust we have in each other is something I think a lot of other teams don’t possess. We know that each person on the field is giving their best effort every day and putting the team in a position to come out with a win. I think we are faster and in better shape. We did not let off the gas the entire game and that’s given us the edge against other teams this season,” Schiavo said.

Being underdogs doesn’t dissuade Delaney, as she still feels the Profs are an underrated group with a lot to prove, starting with this game.

“I honestly don’t know if we have been favored in many of the games we have played. I think people expect us to be a good game, but come in thinking they could beat us. We are underrated, and that is fine with us. Underestimate us and we will be ready to show why you should not,” Delaney said.

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