HARROGATE, Tenn. -- The Lincoln Memorial University women's lacrosse program (1-10) closes out its inaugural season with a trip to the Peach State on Wednesday for a nonconference showdown against the Young Harris Mountain Lions (9-4), set for a 7 p.m. start in Young Harris, Ga.
 
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Last time out:
The Lady Railsplitters concluded South Atlantic Conference play on Saturday in Brevard, N.C. with a 20-2 loss to the Brevard Tornados. Brevard tallied the first 14 goals of the match until Bre'Asia James (Vero Beach, Fla.) put the Lady Railsplitters on the board at the 26:33 mark of the second half. Autumn Beddington (Newburgh, Ind.) added another score at the 19:21 mark, but the Tornados closed the game on a 5-0 scoring run. Brevard registered a 42-20 edge on ground-ball recoveries and a 41-10 shot disparity to pick up the second-year program's first SAC victory.
 
Emergence of James and Beddington:
Lincoln Memorial's scoring tandem of James and Beddington has been a bright spot in a first season that has been marked by its trials and tribulations. James and Beddington have combined for 32 of the Lady Railsplitters' 34 goals, 81 of the 111 shots, 72 of the 89 draw controls and 55 ground-ball pickups. James is ranked 23rd in the SAC with 23 goals, while her 54 draw controls are the fourth-most in the league. Beddington has accounted for nine goals on just 23 shots on goal.
 
National notoriety:
With 11 matches down and one remaining on the regular season schedule, two of Lincoln Memorial's players are ranked among the best in the nation in key statistical categories. Freshman goalkeeper Shannon Novak (Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich.) is fourth in the nation in total saves (133) and fifth in saves per match (12.09), while James is 15th nationally in draw controls per match with 4.91.
 
Common opponents:
Following back-to-back one-win seasons in the program's first two years of existence, the 2015 Young Harris Mountain Lions have taken a tremendous step in the right direction, compiling a 9-4 overall record at this juncture. Young Harris shares two common opponents with the Lady Railsplitters, and will share a third following Tuesday's matchup against Catawba. The Mountain Lions bludgeoned UVA-Wise 18-3 back on February 28 and dropped a 12-11 heartbreaker at Newberry on March 25. The Lady Railsplitters fell to Newberry 17-4 and UVA-Wise 15-2.
 
Young Harris at a glance:
The Mountain Lions are scoring 15.31 goals per game - the eighth ranked scoring offense in Division II - and limiting opponents to 10.77 goals over that same span, as they have outscored their opposition 199-140 this season. Young Harris is ranked sixth in the nation in ground balls per game with 29.23 and sixth in draw controls per match with 15.77. The Mountain Lions successfully clear 84.6 percent of their attempts.
 
Players to Watch:
Alexia Audet and Nicole Kernohan pace the Mountain Lions' prolific scoring attack. Audet has racked up 36 goals, 16 assists, 52 points, 70 shots and 59 shots on goal, while Kernohan has notched a team-high 37 goals with six assists, 56 shots on goal and 30 ground balls. Amanda Kernohan has accounted for 19 goals and 18 assists, while Katie McNutt has posted 25 goals on just 36 shots on goal. Taylor Lincoln has scooped up a team-best 35 ground balls and won 19 draw controls. Rachel Lepine has recovered 35 ground balls and won 40 draw controls.
 
Nudelman in goal:
Sarah Nudelman is likely to get the start in net for Young Harris, as she has played 704:49 of the Mountain Lions' 780 goalkeeper minutes. Nudelman has allowed 122 goals and made 86 saves over that span, accumulating a 10.39 goals against average and a 41.3 save percentage.