Ali Carnabuci

March 28, 2008

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y.- The Marist women's lacrosse team will open their Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference schedule with a home game against Fairfield, Saturday at 1 p.m. The Red Foxes finished last year second in the conference and fell in overtime of the MAAC Tournament championship game.

Marist (2-4, 0-0 MAAC) has lost three in a row after a brief two game winning streak earlier in the season, and the Stags (6-1) dropped their opener but have won sixth straight since.

"We had a great early season schedule in getting ready for our conference games," Marist head coach Tanya Kotowicz said. "I feel like we are prepared and ready to start playing our best lacrosse."

Marist was picked first in the MAAC Preseason Coaches' Poll and had both the Co-Players of the Year in sophomore Liz Falco (Yorktown Heights, N.Y.) and senior Lindsey Diener (Nanuet, N.Y.).

On the Red Foxes spring break trip to Denver, Diener set the school record for career assists. She is currently leading the Red Foxes in goals (13), assists (9), and total points (22).

Ali Carnabuci (Albertson, N.Y.) has 13 goals as well, and Falco has nine goals and five assists. Stephanie Garland (Long Valley, N.J.) has nine goals to go along with two assists, and Kate Noftsker (Needham, Mass.) has found the back of the net eight times.

When the Red Foxes play well, they get contributions from the entire team.

"We have to make sure that we get consistent effort from everyone and we use all 12 players we have on the field." Kotowicz said. "When we have patience with the ball and we don't try and force the issue as individuals, good things happen for us."

Game time is set for 1 p.m. at Tenney Stadium at Leonidoff Field.