Quinnipiac University
CCSU
Quinnipiac Hosts Local Foe Friday in Hamden
2/26/2026 11:10:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
HAMDEN, Conn. — The Quinnipiac women's lacrosse team opens a home swing on Friday afternoon, taking on Central Connecticut in Hamden at 3 p.m.
The Bobcats most recently defeated New Hampshire by a 12-7 scoreline on Sunday afternoon, while CCSU is coming off a pair of losses to Iona and La Salle.
THE MATCHUP
Teams: Quinnipiac (1-2) vs. Central Connecticut (0-2)
Broadcast: GoBobcats.com
Live Stats: SidearmStats
ON THE BOARD
The Bobcats earned their first win of the 2026 campaign on Sunday afternoon, knocking off New Hampshire by a 12-7 final in Durham, N.H.
Emma Miller-Ayala was all over the stat sheet, finishing with four points, four ground balls and five draw controls to aid the Bobcat cause. Giordan Peck and Mia Delmond each had a pair of goals, while Cate Bendowski had a three-point day.
GIVEN TAKE
Sophomore Anna Givens got off to a strong start in her second season in Hamden, posting a career-best four points in the matchup against Hofstra. She tossed in a goal and three assists, including a helper to her older sister Julia Givens in the first half.
RETURNING PROWESS
The 2026 roster is highlighted by the return of the 2025 MAAC Goalie and Rookie of the Year in Shannon Alden, along with All-Rookie selections Emma Miller-Ayala and Anna Givens returning to the roster.
The Bobcats also bring back an experienced offensive core, returning six of their top eight scorers from a season ago led by seniors Mia Delmond (59 points), who was a preseason All-MAAC selection, and Cate Bendowski (49 points) and the aforementioned Givens (28 points) and Miller-Ayala (15 points).
THE ROAD AHEAD
The 2026 slate includes a some perennial NCAA Tournament contenders, including Hofstra and Yale to open up the season. They will be two of the eight non-conference games the Bobcats have on their slate before league play begins on March 22. They welcome Niagara and Fairfield to Hamden for the first time since the 2022 and 2023 campaigns, respectively, as well has close out the league slate with Sacred Heart on April 18.
ALL-AMERICAN STATUS
A pair of incoming Bobcats earned All-American titles next to their name after their senior campaigns, with Charlotte DeMaio and Charley Lagor earning the honors at the conclusion of the 2025 campaign. Lagor hails from Providence, R.I., while DeMaio played her high school time in Westwood, Mass.
DRAW QUEEN
Junior Sophia Coan became the program's new single-season draw control record holder, finishing with 81 on the season passing Sophia Iaccino's mark from 2021 for the top spot on the season leaderboard. Her 4.50 draw controls per contest put her fifth in the MAAC at the end of the 2025 campaign.
PREVIEWING THE MATCHUP:
Quinnipiac and CCSU resume their series, one that Quinnipiac leads 15-3 overall. The Bobcats have won the series three times in a row, including a 21-2 scoreline a season ago in the season opener.
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For an inside look at the Quinnipiac women's lacrosse program, be sure to follow it on social media @QU_WLAX or go to gobobcats.com/wlax.
