Oct. 9, 2003

BALTIMORE, MD - The Loyola women's lacrosse team will host a fall tournament this coming weekend, hosting North Carolina, Georgetown and Boston University on Curley Field Saturday, Oct. 11.

"Our team is looking forward to play in this weekend's tournament," said first-year head coach Kerri Johnson. "We have some great teams coming to compete."

The Greyhounds finished the 2003 season at 17-2 and as the No. 1 seed entering the NCAA tournament. Loyola ranked No. 1 in the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association poll for eight of the 10 weeks of rankings and where defeated only by Virginia in the regular season.

Johnson returns four of her top five leading scorers with senior Rachel Shuck, juniors Stephanie Walker and Talia Shacklock and sophomore Sydney Greene. Loyola also returns both of its goalies, senior Kim Lawton and sophomore Cindy Nicolaus, who split time in goal last season. Lawton finished the season ranked first in the nation in goals-against average at 5.37 while Nicolaus was first in saves percentage at .626.

The Greyhounds have also added six new faces to the mix. The Loyola women's lacrosse Class of 2007 includes: Colleen Brown, Meghan MacIntire, Kate McHarg, Liz Peregoy, Rachel Pickin and Cari West.

"The fall schedule allows our players the opportunity to mesh as a team before our spring season begins and to compete against some talented competition," Johnson said. "I have been pleased with our progress thus far."

This weekend's schedule is as follows:

9:00 - 10:05    North Carolina  vs  Loyola10:10 - 11:15   Loyola      vs  Georgetown11:20 - 12:25   North Carolina  vs  Boston University12:30 - 1:35    Loyola      vs  Boston University

Loyola will open its 2004 regular season at Pennsylvania at 1:00 on Feb. 28, 2004.