Quinnipiac University
Niagara
Quinnipiac Opens MAAC Play Saturday vs. Niagara
3/20/2026 5:15:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
HAMDEN, Conn. — After a 5-3 non-conference resume, the Quinnipiac women's lacrosse program turns its attention to the MAAC with its league opener on Saturday afternoon against Niagara. First draw is scheduled for Noon in Hamden, Conn.
SATURDAY'S MATCHUP
Teams: Quinnipiac (5-3) vs. Niagara (1-7)
Watch Live: GoBobcats.com
Live Stats: SidearmStats
THE MATCHUP VS. NIAGARA
This will be the first matchup in Hamden since 2022 and just the second time the two squads will meet at Quinnipiac since 2019 in a series that the Purple Eagles lead 11-2 overall. The Bobcats won a thriller in Niagara a season ago, with Shannon Alden's late-game save sealing a 13-12 victory over Niagara, the first road win in the series for the Bobcats in program history.
IN THE RANKINGS
The Bobcats currently lead the MAAC in three categories, pacing the conference in caused turnovers per game (11.88), clearing percentage (.909) and free-position percentage (.550). They are also top 25 in the country in those categories as well. They are second in the league in six different metrics, including scoring offense (13.00), assisters per game (6.88) and points per game (19.88).
TWO FOR NUMBER TWO
First-year attacker Brie Provenzano earned her second MAAC Rookie of the Week honors after a seven-point week against Gardner-Webb and Furman in two wins. She has 16 points in her last four outings, helping aid the Bobcats to a 3-1 record in that span. Her 1.50 assists per game are currently leading the MAAC and eighth in the country amongst first-year players.
BALANCED ATTACK
The Bobcats used 11 different goalscorers in its win over CCSU. A tight game to start, the Bobcats rattled off a 12-0 run to make a 4-3 close contest into a controlled 16-3 scoreline late in the game. Cate Bendowski led the way for all Quinnipiac players, scoring four goals.
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.
--
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.
