Lacrosse Kats Prepare for Region Playoffs

The Erie Community College lacrosse team wrapped up its regular season against the defending national champion and currently No. 1-ranked Monroe Community College with its home finale April 29 at West Herr Stadium. While the Kats were unable to do what any other team has been able to do – give the Tribunes a loss – they were able to cut their goal differential to the lowest in the last five years against Monroe.

The Kats have exploded offensively over the past two seasons in winning a combined 11 contests. Their 229 goals over the last two years are 72 more than the total from the previous two seasons. The Kats improved their total this season to 119 and counting – nine more than last season's 110.

In addition, only four teams have more top-40 goal scorers than Erie, and three of those teams are currently ranked in the top four positions in the country. In addition to No. 1 Monroe, No. 3 Onondaga, No. 4 Anne Arundel and CCBC Essex are the only teams to have more than the Kats' four top-40 goal scorers as of the end of April.

Courtney Guzda is sixth in the nation with 39 goals, while Hannah Clarkson (23 goals), Mackenzie Neary (19 goals) and Zoelle Wheeler (17 goals) round out the top Kat scorers in the nation's top-40. Guzda and Wheeler each netted a pair against Monroe, while Neary added a single tally in the home finale April 29.

Erie will open the region playoffs in a rematch of its last regular season game against Monroe, who is hosting the region playoffs May 6-7.