East Stroudsburg, Pa- East Stroudsburg University Women's Lacrosse is set to continue its postseason run Friday afternoon in the PSAC semifinal, taking on No. 1-seeded Slippery Rock at 4 p.m. in West Chester. The Warriors (14-4, 10-2 PSAC) are red-hot, having won six straight games behind one of the nation's most dynamic offenses and a defense that has tightened up in the most important stretch of the season.

Redemption on the Line
The matchup marks a rematch of a March 5 loss to Slippery Rock, when the Warriors were held to a season-low six goals. Since that point, ESU has surged, led by elite scoring and balanced team defense. Friday presents a chance at payback—and a shot to keep their PSAC title hopes alive.

Offesnive Spotlight:
Averaging 14.61 goals per game, East Stroudsburg's offense is one of the most potent in the PSAC, and they do it with both firepower and finesse. The Warriors lead the league in total goals (263) and have recorded over 120 assists, showing their ability to generate high-percentage, team-oriented scoring chances.

Offensive Leaders:

• Sadie Kauffman (#27) is the undisputed catalyst and one of the most dominant offensive players in the country. With 87 goals and 25 assists, she is second in the PSAC in both goals and points (112 total), while shooting a blistering 51% from the field. She's not just a scorer—her 39 caused turnovers and 89 draw controls show her all-around impact.
• Ariana Tucci (#22) brings elite finishing and vision to the attack unit. With 49 goals and 18 assists, she draws extra attention and has developed strong chemistry with both Kauffman and the midfield line.
• Lauren Hallman (#25) adds yet another scoring threat, totaling 37 goals and 14 assists. Her ability to dodge, cut, and finish from multiple angles makes ESU a nightmare to defend in settled offense.
• Jolee Roth (#28) has stepped up as a key distributor, dishing out 25 assists while also adding 19 goals. Her play behind the cage helps orchestrate the offense, especially in tight games where patience and spacing matter.
• Hannah Schiemer (#13) and Campbell Heller (#15) add depth and versatility, contributing a combined 34 goals and 18 assists, while frequently drawing key defensive matchups to open lanes for the top scorers.

What makes ESU dangerous is that scoring doesn't fall on one or two players—it's a system built on movement, ball-sharing, and an ability to capitalize on matchups. The Warriors also lead the PSAC in free-position scoring percentage (.587), a critical advantage in postseason play.

Defensive Spotlight:
While much of the spotlight shines on East Stroudsburg's high-powered offense, their defense has quietly been one of the most consistent and disruptive units in the PSAC. The Warriors are allowing just 9.39 goals per game and have caused 203 turnovers, constantly pressuring opponents into mistakes and limiting second-chance opportunities.

Defensive Standouts:

• Emily Varilla (#9) is the team's defensive engine, leading the squad in caused turnovers (26) and adding 41 draw controls. Her ability to win 50/50 balls and disrupt opposing attackers makes her a key figure in the transition game.
• Alexis Neumen (#4) is a draw control specialist with 54 on the season, and she's just as impactful in the defensive third. Her speed and awareness make her a cornerstone of ESU's clear game and zone integrity.
• Molly Atwell (#21) and Taylor Vara (#18) are rugged, positional defenders who rarely make mistakes. They've combined for 56 ground balls and 22 caused turnovers, often handling top opposing matchups without the need for double-teams.
• Kelly Quinlan (#10) and Mac Maloney (#42) add physicality and experience, frequently neutralizing cutters and initiating transition with smart, clean clears.
• In goal, Abby Simonetti (#35) has been a standout all season, boasting a .568 save percentage and 9.39 GAA. She leads all PSAC starting goalies in save percentage and has turned away 216 shots this year, often serving as the last line of defense during momentum swings.

Keys to the Game:

• Start Fast, Finish Strong: ESU has outscored opponents 149–77 in the first half of games. A hot start could force Slippery Rock to play from behind—a rare position for the regular-season champs.
• Draw Control Battle: Both teams sit near-identical in draws (ESU 247, SRU 248). Possession will be everything, especially in crunch time.
• Limit Transition Goals: Slippery Rock thrives off fast breaks. ESU's clear game (86% success rate) and defensive communication will be vital.

Limit Their Big Three:
The ESU defense will be tasked with containing Rotter, Richeson, and Fink. Varilla's 26 caused turnovers and Neumen's draw dominance (54) will be crucial in limiting their touches and disrupting rhythm.

Disrupt Their Possession Game:
The Rock leads the PSAC in time of possession thanks to 248 draw controls and over 36 shots per game. ESU must pressure their clear attempts—Slippery Rock is clearing at just 64%, compared to ESU's 86%. Forcing turnovers in transition could be a game-changer.

Control the Tempo:
By playing smart, settled offense and minimizing unforced errors, the Warriors can limit Slippery Rock's chances to run in transition. Goalkeeper Abby Simonetti, with her elite .568 save percentage, can help spark clears and flip the field quickly if the defense holds strong.

The Warriors are battle-tested, balanced, and hungry. With their offense firing and the defense ready to lock in against Slippery Rock, East Stroudsburg is equipped for a deep postseason run. The game is slated for a 4 pm start time at West Chester on Friday, May 2nd.