HARROGATE, Tenn. -- The Lady Railsplitters (0-6, 0-4 SAC) will face its toughest test of the season on Saturday, as the No. 14 nationally ranked Queens Royals (6-4, 3-0 SAC) invade the LMU Lacrosse Complex for a South Atlantic Conference tussle. First draw control is slated for 1 p.m. in Harrogate, Tenn.
 
Lincoln Memorial continues the search for that elusive first win and looks to build off of a 16-2 loss to the Tusculum Pioneers in the official home debut on Wednesday. Freshman goalkeeper Shannon Novak (Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich.) was the story of that contest, as she reset the South Atlantic Conference record with 22 saves, 19 of which came in the opening half. That mark is not only the individual saves record, but the team one, as only the Brevard Tornados are the only team to have 22 team saves in a single match in the two years of SAC women's lacrosse.
 
Freshman midfielder Bre'Asia James (Vero Beach, Fla.) continued to be a bright spot for the Lady Railsplitters, scoring a pair of goals to extend her point streak to six games. James has registered at least two goals in four of Lincoln Memorial's six matches this season.
 
The defending SAC regular season and tournament champion, Queens arrives in Harrogate tied with Lenoir-Rhyne for the top spot in the league standings, ranked 14th in the most recent IWLCA Division II poll and noted at No. 21 in the LaxPower Tournament Selection Index (TSI).
 
Three of Queens' four losses have come against teams ranked inside the top 10 of the IWLCA poll (Limestone, Florida Southern, Mercyhurst), while the Royals boast a win over 20th-ranked Pfeiffer. In its last two matches, Queens destroyed Brevard 19-2 and survived a late rally to knock off Indiana (Pa.) 13-10.
 
The Royals claim the SAC's stoutest defense, leading the league by allowing only 8.20 goals per game. Queens presents an even more formidable challenge in SAC play, allowing just 3.67 goals per game. Queens has accomplished that by owning possession, causing a league-leading 96 turnovers and winning 126 draw controls. Offensively, the Royals are scoring 13.2 goals per game, ranking second in the league with 132 total goals.
 
Abigail Paulus governs the offense for the Royals, leading the team with 18 assists and 36 points while racking up 18 goals. Jena Ready leads the Royals with 23 goals, while Kelly Dowd has scored 21 goals and handed out six helpers. Maggie Masters has contributed 17 goals and seven assists.
 
Queens' senior goalkeeper Danielle Horoschak has played the majority of the keeper minutes, allowing 59 goals with 39 saves in 423 minutes of action. She has a 6-4 record and an 8.37 goals against average.
 
First draw control is set for 1 p.m. at the LMU Lacrosse Complex. Live stats will be available through www.LMURailsplitters.com. 

Live Stats