EAST STROUDSBURG – For the third time in 14 days, the 11th-ranked and three-seed East Stroudsburg University lacrosse team will face the 12th-ranked and two-seed Kutztown. This matchup, however, is pivotal as only one team will continue their season in the NCAA First Round. The game is scheduled for Thursday at 3:00 p.m. at West Chester’s Vonnie Gros Field.

Ticketing Info

• All tickets will be sold onsite.
• CASH ONLY.
• Adults: $10.00
• Student/Senior: $5.00
• Child (2-5 yrs.): $2.00

The Series: ESU and Kutztown will battle for the fourth time this season on Friday, with KU holding a 3-1 lead in the season series. All four contests have been decided by two goals or less, with the home team winning each matchup. The Warriors dropped the first contest at KU's Keystone Field, 15-13 on April 10th, but ESU got revenge in the regular-season finale with a 10-9 instant classic victory on May 4th. The Golden Bears and Warriors matched up in the PSAC Quarterfinals, with Kutztown advancing to the PSAC Semifinals with a 10-8 victory at Kutztown Field. The Warriors will look to defeat Kutztown in the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season at Vonnie Gros Field with a 15-8 decision in 2023. ESU leads the all-time series by a mark of 24-12.

Last Time Out: ESU saw its time in the PSAC Tournament come to an end with a tough 10-8 loss to the Golden Bears at Kutztown’s Keystone Field on May 7th. In that matchup, the Warriors held a 3-1 lead after the first quarter, before Kutztown knotted the score at 5-5 heading into halftime. KU kept momentum with a 3-0 run to start the second half, but the resilient Warriors erased the deficit to tie the game at 8-8 early in the fourth period. Kutztown earned the win by scoring the final two goals to advance to the PSAC Semifinals. 

About ESU: Among 108 NCAA DII teams, ESU ranks first in saves percentage and sixth in ground balls per game. Three-time IWLCA All-America selection Emily Mitarotonda ranks first nationally in free-position goals per game, third in goals per game, fourth in goals and points per game, sixth in caused turnovers per game, seventh in points and 16th in ground balls per game as one of the top players in all of NCAA Division II lacrosse. GK Abby Simonetti has been a brick wall this season, leading the nation in saves percentage, second in total saves, fifth in saves per game and 10th in goals-against average.

About the Golden Bears: After advancing to the PSAC Semifinals, Kutztown earned a trip to the conference championship with a 13-10 win over Seton Hill. The Golden Rams gave undefeated West Chester trouble in the PSAC Championship game, taking a lead with under five minutes to play after trailing by as many as six goals in the second half, but ultimately fell to the Golden Rams, 12-11. As a team, KU ranks 10th in caused turnovers per game, 13th in ground balls per game and 12th in shots per game.  Emma Meakim paces the PSAC in assists with 46. Sam Graf is a force offensively and defensively with 80 goals, 100 points, 38 caused turnovers, 90 draw controls and 42 ground balls.

All-Region: The Warriors were well represented on the IWLCA All-Region teams announced on Wednesday, with five ESU players recognized as the best in the NCAA DII Atlantic Region. Emily Mitarotonda, Abby Simonetti and Olivia Wenrich were named to the IWLCA All-Atlantic Region First Team, while Claire Hoffman and Hannah Schiemer earned IWLCA All-Atlantic Region Second Team status. Mitarotonda becomes the first Warrior in program history to earn all-region status by the IWLCA All-Region in all four seasons, landing on the Atlantic Region First Team each time from 2021-24.

All-America: Mitarotonda was also recognized by USA Lacrosse on Wednesday, garnering USA Lacrosse All-America First Team honors by the organization. 

More Records: After becoming ESU’s all-time leader in points and the PSAC’s all-time leader in goals this season, Mitarotonda is on the cusp of etching her name further in the Warrior record book. Mitarotonda is four goals away from breaking ESU’s single-season goals record for the third time in her career, currently sitting with 86 goals on the season. She totaled 89 goals in her sophomore season and saw the Warriors reach the NCAA Championship game. The sports marketing major is also two points away from breaking her own ESU single-season points record of 111, set in 2022. 

ESU in the NCAA Tournament: The Warriors are making its seventh consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament, after previous not earning a tournament berth prior to 2017. ESU holds an all-time record of 9-6 in NCAA Tournament contests, including a win over Kutztown in 2023 at West Chester. The Warriors seek their third NCAA DII Atlantic Region title in four seasons, after advancing to the NCAA Semifinal Round in 2021 and earning its first trip to the NCAA Division II National Championship game in 2022. The Warriors have advanced to the NCAA DII Atlantic Region Championship game in each of their past five seasons, holding a record of 5-1 in the NCAA Tournament First Round. 

What’s Next: The ESU-KU winner advances to the NCAA Atlantic Region Championship Game on Saturday at Noon, against the winner of one-seed West Chester and four-seed Seton Hill. The game will played at West Chester’s Vonnie Gros Field, regardless of which teams advance.