The #1 Middlebury women's lacrosse team heads to Salem, Virginia to take on #3 Franklin & Marshall in an NCAA Semifinal on Friday at 12:00 p.m. The Panthers are attempting to secure a spot in the national championship for the 13th time and lift their third-consecutive NCAA Championship Trophy.  
ABOUT MIDDLEBURY

• Middlebury is making its 28th appearance in the national tournament and has advanced to the semifinal round for the 23rd time, including every year that it has competed since 2015.
• The Panthers are looking to reach the championship contest for the 13th time and are searching for their third-consecutive national title and 10th overall.
• The program has won 49-straight contests, as well as 19-consecutive victories in NCAA Tournament action. 
• The team is the only remaining unbeaten squad in Division III, boasting a 21-0 mark entering the weekend. 
• Middlebury earned a first-round bye as the top-overall seed, before defeating St. John Fisher 18-5 in the second round. The Panthers downed Colorado College 20-9 in the third round and topped #11 Pomona-Pitzer 16-1 in the national quarterfinal.
• This season, Middlebury ranks in the top-ten spots in Division III in clearing percentage (third - .912), scoring defense (third - 5.90), draw control percentage (fourth - .646), and scoring margin (fourth - 10.43) and free position percentage (ninth - .567). 

PANTHERS TO WATCH

• During the NCAA Quarterfinal, Hope Shue scored twice to eclipse the 100-point mark this season (75G, 25A). The Panther's point and goal totals pace the NESCAC, while she is tied for first on the team with 25 helpers and third in draw controls (57). This season, Shue has rewritten the Middlebury record books, ranking third in career goals (214) and points (266), while her single-season point total is also third.
• Also contributing on attack this season has been Susan Rowley and Maggie Coughlin. Rowley is second on the team in both points (91) and goals (73). The captain has recorded a hat trick or better in 10 of her last 11 contests, and has found the back of the net 11 times over the last two games. Coughlin is fourth on the team in points (48) and has provided a balanced offensive output, registering 23 goals and 25 assists during the spring. In NCAA Tournament play this season, Coughlin has tallied six points (4G, 2A).
• Caroline Adams leads the team in draw controls, winning 121 this season. Her total tops the NESCAC and is third in the program record books, while her career mark (205) is fourth all-time for Middlebury. Offensively, Adams is third on the squad in points with 49 (30G, 19A). Lucy Bishop has been strong in midfield, winning 60 draws during her rookie campaign, which ranks second on the team. During Middlebury's third round win over Colorado College, Bishop grabbed a career-high 11 draw controls, which is tied for fifth-most in a single contest.
• Kylie Wilson has caused a team-best 30 turnovers and grabbed 39 groundballs. During the national tournament, Wilson has forced six takeaways while scooping up five rollers. Haley Hamilton is second on the squad with 24 caused turnovers, while Chloe Newman is third (21) and has nabbed the second-most groundballs (30).
• In goal, Elizabeth Savage and Gina Driscoll have each seen time this year. Savage has made 15 appearances and owns a 5.33 goals against average (GAA) and a .500 save percentage. Across 18 games, Driscoll has stopped 73 shots and secured a team-high 13 wins.   

ABOUT FRANKLIN & MARSHALL

• Franklin & Marshall is making its 25th appearance in the NCAA Tournament and reached the national semifinals for the 10th time. 
• The Diplomats are searching for their third NCAA Title, having most recently claimed the crown in 2009
• The program owns a 41-22 overall mark in national tournament play.
• Franklin & Marshall secured its place in the final four with a first-round 19-7 win over St. Mary's (Md.), a second-round triumph over #12 Roanoke (14-11) and an overtime 11-10 victory over #4 Tufts in the quarterfinals. 
• This season, the Diplomats hold a 19-3 overall record and are ranked third nationally. The squad went 7-1 in Centennial Conference play and downed #6 Gettysburg 16-15 in the conference championship. 
• Franklin & Marshall ranks in the top-10 in Division III in win percentage (sixth - .864), shots per game (seventh - 35.86), least turnovers per game (ninth - 13.09) and scoring offense (10th - 16.55).

DIPLOMATS TO WATCH

• The Diplomats have four players who have bagged over 60 goals this season. Lauren Pittman leads the way with 70 markers and 106 draw controls, while sitting second on the team in points (94) and third in assists (24). Gillian Brennan is just behind her teammate, tallying 69 goals and adding 22 helpers to total 91 points, which is third most on the team.
• Lydia Cassilly has been crucial to Franklin & Marshall's offense, pacing the team with 104 points and 38 assists, while also finding the back of the net 66 times. Rounding out the 60-plus goalscorers is Lane Lambeth who is fourth on the team in points (63) and tallies (61). The midfielder has also won 56 draw controls which ranks third on the squad.
• Belle Dintino anchors the Diplomats' defensive unit. The sophomore has started all 22 games this season and leads the team in groundballs (40) and caused turnovers (38).
• In between the pipes, Alyssa Moran has been a mainstay for Franklin & Marshall, stopping 130 shots and boasting a 9.69 GAA while claiming a team-best 18 wins this spring.

ABOUT WILLIAM SMITH

• William Smith is making its 24th appearance on the national stage, and is looking for its first NCAA Championship. 
• The Herons have reached the semifinal round for the 14th time and for the second season in a row. The squad has advanced to the title tilt on five occasions, most recently in 1995. 
• This season, William Smith owns a 20-3 overall record and is ranked ninth in Division III. The program holds a 31-23 mark in NCAA Tournament competition. 
• The Herons reached the semifinals by defeating #19 MIT 12-9, #6 Gettysburg 18-10, and #13 Colby 14-6.

HERONS TO WATCH

• Maddie Montgomery has been prolific all over the field this year. The senior paces the team with 98 points and 80 goals, while also leading the squad in caused turnovers (40). Montgomery also ranks second in assists (18), groundballs (44) and draw controls (65).
• The duo of Natalie Daniels and Allie McGinty have also been dynamic in attack. Daniels is second on the team in points (90) and goals (77), while adding 13 helpers. Daniels also leads William Smith with 119 draw controls. McGinty has set up a team-high 49 goals and is third on the squad with 82 points, while also tallying 33 markers. 
• Defensively, Janey Sypeck is second with 32 caused turnovers and fourth with 29 groundballs. Nikki Pio is just being her teammate, forcing 25 takeaways and scooping up 27 rollers. The pair have both featured in 22 contests. 
• Maura Smeader has been a stalwart in goal, playing in 22 games and saving 156 attempts with a GAA of 7.33.

ABOUT SALISBURY

• Salisbury secured a spot in the NCAA Tournament for the 24th time, and are attempting to claim the program's fifth national title, having last hoisted the trophy in 2021 when the Panthers did not compete due to the pandemic.
• The Seagulls have made 13 NCAA Semifinal appearances and have reached the championship contest nine times.
• Salisbury is 17-3 this spring, and is currently ranked #5 in the country. The Seagulls have won 60 games in NCAA Tournament history against just 19 losses.
• To reach the semifinal round, Salisbury defeated Cabrini 23-6 in the opening round, before halting #15 Babson 15-10 and upending #7 Washington & Lee 12-8. 

SEAGULLS TO WATCH

• The Seagulls offer a balanced offensive output. Camryn Pepper paces the squad in points (70) and assists (40) and is fourth with 30 markers. 
• Mary Hanzsche is second on the team with 66 points (29G, 37A), while Leah Vilov has netted a team-high 49 goals and is third with 56 total points. Miranda Mears and Erin Scannell are second and third on the squad in goals, tallying 36 and 35, respectively. 
• Natalie Held has been sensational on defense, scooping up a team-best 50 groundballs while causing the most turnovers on the team (37). The senior is also the team leader in draw controls, winning 77.

SERIES HISTORY

• Middlebury and Franklin & Marshall meet for the sixth time, with the Panthers holding a 4-1 lead in the all-time series. The two squads played earlier this year, with Middlebury emerging with an 18-9 victory. 
• The programs have met twice in the NCAA Tournament with the Panthers claiming wins in the 2019 quarterfinal (16-4) and last year's semifinal (22-13).
• Middlebury and William Smith have faced off on nine occasions with the Panthers winning six of those contests. The teams have played in the NCAA Tournament three times, most recently in the 2003 semifinals, where Middlebury eased to a 20-4 triumph. 
• If the two teams met in the NCAA Championship, it would be the first meeting in the national final.
• The Panthers and the Seagulls have battled 10 times, with Salisbury holding a 6-4 advantage. The programs have met five times in NCAA Tournament play with the Seagulls winning three of those contests. 
• The teams squared off most recently in the 2019 NCAA Title game, with Middlebury earning a 14-9 victory.

TOURNAMENT INFO

• Schedule 
  • Friday, May 24 (Semifinals)
    • Franklin & Marshall vs. Middebury - 12:00 p.m. 
    • Salisbury vs. William Smith - 3:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, May 26 (Championship)
    • Winners of Semifinals - 12:00 p.m. 
• Championship Central
• Bracket

The winners of the Friday semifinals will advance to the championship on Sunday at 12:00 p.m.