The Matchup
Saturday:
Converse (0-0) at Mars Hill (1-0)
Location: Mars Hill, N.C. | Meares Stadium
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Live Video
Live Stats
 
The Series
This will be the third all-time meeting between Converse and Mars Hill. The Lions are 2-0 all-time against the Valkyries, last time out Mars Hill defeated Converse 18-3 during the 2020 season. Cassidy O'Neill led the Valkyries with a two-goal performance in the loss, while current Valkyries volunteer assistant coach Kiersten Foust finished the game with three goals and three assists for Mars Hill.
 
Converse Notes

• This is the first game of the season for the Valkyries lacrosse team. Last season, the Valkyries finished 1-15 overall and 0-9 in Conference Carolinas action.
• Converse was picked to finish ninth in the Conference Carolinas preseason poll, Brenna Everette, Hailey Obenchain and Ryleigh Schaeffer were all selected to the preseason watch list.
• Cassidy O'Neill returns as the Valkyries leading scorer after she had a breakout junior season with 34 goals last season. Everette comes back as the second leading scorer with 25 goals and Rhianna Warner is the third leading scorer returning with 19 goals.
• With the graduation of Libby Stevens, the Valkyries will have to replace their top assists leader from a season ago. Everette returns as the Valkyries leader in assists (9) and draw control wins (41).
• Both Madalynn Brunner and Reagan Collins return to the cage this season for the Valkyries. Brunner led the team with 101 saves on the season, while Collins picked up 75 saves and started five games her freshman season.
• Converse will have 10 freshmen on the sidelines this year with most having an opportunity to make an impact early in the Valkyries lineup.

 Mars Hill Notes

• Mars Hill is 1-0 this season after a 14-5 win over Emmanuel on Saturday afternoon. Alexa Tazzetta led the Lions with a four-goal performance, while Mina Muirhead added a hat trick in the win. Lauren Bryner made 9 saves in goal and picked up the win for Mars Hill.
• The Lions are averaging 14 goals per game and they are shooting 51 percent overall and 85 percent in shots on goal. The Lions were 0-2 in free position goals but won 10 draw controls.
• Mars Hill recorded 8 assists in their lone game of the season and they won 30 ground balls. The Lions also recorded nine total saves in the win over Emmanuel.
• Lauren Bryner earned South Atlantic Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors for her work in the goal last week against Emmanuel.
• Mars Hill was selected to finish 10^th in the South Atlantic Conference Preseason Poll. Sydney Joyce was selected to the Preseason All-SAC First Team.

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