University of Mount Olive scores against Roanoke College during their women’s college lacrosse exhibition Saturday afternoon at the Ray McDonald Sports Complex. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
University of Mount Olive and Roanoke College enter the 2024 women’s lacrosse season in identical fashion.
The two traditional powers lost a combined 22 players to graduation.
They staged a highly-competitive and energetic preseason exhibition on the Ray McDonald Sports Complex turf. Though no score was kept, neither team experienced too many hiccups on either the offensive or defensive end.
League coaches picked UMO to claim its fourth consecutive Conference Carolinas regular-season title. Guided by head coach Heather Coppola, the Trojans logged a 14-5 worksheet last spring. They enter this season with a 34-game win streak against conference opposition.
Coppola will depend on fifth-year senior Bria Hamilton, who earned all-conference accolades in 2023. She’s joined by senior Maia Hodges, who missed last year due to an injury and Maddy Fratus. Fratus played a reverse role a year ago, but should emerge as a leader in the midfield.
UMO is ranked No. 25 in the preseason IWLCA poll.
The Trojans open their season Feb. 10 at home against Southern Wesleyan University. Face-off is 11 a.m.
Roanoke finished 16-4 last year and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III tournament. The Maroons are ranked among the top 10 in the preseason IWLCA poll.
