Preview Interview

HOBOKEN, N.J. (April 17, 2014) – The Stevens Institute of Technology women's lacrosse team will return to game action Friday at 12 p.m. when the Ducks welcome Empire 8 rival and nationally-ranked No. 16 Ithaca College to the De Baun Athletic Complex.
 
The Ducks had a pair of contests postponed and rescheduled last week and will start Friday's game with an overall mark of 6-6 and a conference ledger of 4-0. Both Stevens and Ithaca are atop the E8 standings at 4-0, and No. 19 St. John Fisher College is one half game behind at 4-1. Utica College is in fourth at 3-3 and Nazareth College is fourth with a conference mark of 2-2.
 
The top-four teams advance to the Empire 8 Championship in early-May, and the Ducks need one win in their final three conference clashes to guarantee a berth in the postseason tournament hosted by the regular-season champ.
 
As a team, the Ducks are ranked 45th nationally in draw controls per game, averaging 14 per contest. Freshman midfielder Kathleen Kalbian (Cheshire, Conn.) is 33rd nationally in ground balls per outing at 4.33, and she is 53rd in draw controls per contest (5.17). Kalbian leads the conference in both categories and is second in caused turnovers, forcing two per game. Sophomore midfielder Erika Wilcox (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) leads the team and conference in goals (39), goals per game (3.25), points (51) and points per game (4.25).
 
Team-wise, the Ducks lead the conference in draw controls per game and are second in caused turnovers per game and ground balls per game.
 
After starting the year 1-4 overall against a tough schedule, Ithaca has won its last seven outings, most recently defeating Alfred University, 19-1, and Nazareth College, 12-5, last weekend on the road.
 
Stevens also started slow against a challenging early-season schedule. The Ducks limped out to a 2-5 start, but have rebounded by winning five of their last six, including four-straight within the conference.
 
Friday's contest against Ithaca is set for a 12 p.m. opening draw at the De Baun Athletic Complex. Those fans unable to attend the game can tune in live at www.Empire8.TV.