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Penn State Nittany Lions Lacrosse

A Legacy of Athletic Excellence and Championship Pursuit.

Program Overview ๐Ÿ‘‡ Championships ๐Ÿ†

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Program Overview

University & Affiliation

The Penn State Nittany Lions women's lacrosse team represents Pennsylvania State University. As a participant in NCAA Division I, the program competes within the prestigious Big Ten Conference, a testament to its high level of collegiate athletics.

Home Venue

The team plays its home matches at Panzer Stadium, located in State College, Pennsylvania. This facility provides a dedicated environment for collegiate lacrosse, with a seating capacity of 1,300 spectators, fostering a strong home-field advantage.

Team Identity

The Nittany Lions proudly represent Penn State with their iconic colors of blue and white. Their athletic identity is deeply rooted in the university's traditions, embodying a spirit of competition and academic achievement.

Head Coach: Missy Doherty

Coaching Pedigree

Missy Doherty has led the Nittany Lions since the 2011 season. A distinguished alumna of the University of Maryland, Doherty was a three-time national champion during her playing career there. Her coaching journey includes significant assistant coaching roles at Vanderbilt, Brown, and Princeton, where she contributed to two national titles in 2002 and 2003.

Impact at Penn State

Doherty's tenure has been marked by substantial program growth. After a foundational 2011 season, she guided Penn State to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in seven years in 2012 and its first quarterfinal appearance in thirteen years. Under her leadership, the team has achieved seven consecutive NCAA Tournament berths (2012-2018), including five quarterfinal appearances and two Final Four showings in 2016 and 2017.

Previous Success

Prior to her arrival at Penn State, Doherty served as the head coach at Towson University. In her five years there (2004-2009), she amassed a 79-46 record and led the Tigers to their inaugural NCAA Tournament appearance in 2005, demonstrating a consistent ability to elevate programs.

Program History

Foundational Years

The Penn State Nittany Lions women's lacrosse program commenced its operations in 1965. Initially operating under less structured collegiate athletic frameworks, the team navigated through various governing bodies, including affiliations with USWLA and AIAW, before the advent of NCAA championship structures.

Championship Eras

The program achieved significant national success during the late 1970s and 1980s. Under coach Gillian Rattray, the team secured three consecutive USWLA National Championships from 1978 to 1980. This dominance transitioned into the NCAA era, where Penn State captured two NCAA Division I National Championships in 1987 and 1989, alongside multiple Final Four and runner-up finishes.

Conference Evolution

The team has competed under different conference structures throughout its history, including periods as an independent NCAA Division I program. Since 2015, Penn State has been a prominent member of the Big Ten Conference, competing against other top-tier programs in one of the nation's most competitive lacrosse leagues.

Statistical Achievements

Overall Program Statistics

The Nittany Lions boast a robust historical record, reflecting decades of competitive play. As of the 2018 season, the program had participated in 54 seasons, achieving an overall record of 537 wins, 263 losses, and 5 ties (.671 winning percentage). This includes significant achievements in conference play and a strong NCAA tournament presence.

Statistical Overview (Through 2018 Season)
Category Details
Years of Lacrosse 54
1st Season 1965
Head Coaches 9
All-Time Record 537-263-5
Big Ten Season W-L (Since 2015) 15โ€“7
Big Ten Titles 0
Big Ten Tournament Titles 1
NCAA Appearances 24
NCAA W-L Record 23-22
Final Fours 11
Championship Games 4
NCAA National Championships 2

Individual Records

The program has seen remarkable individual performances throughout its history. Players like Marsha Florio set enduring records for goals (271) and points (380) over her career (1982-85). In a single season, Florio also holds the record for goals with 79 in 1985. Goaltending records include Lee Tortorelli's career saves (735) and Jody Field's exceptional save percentage (.748 in 1979) and goals against average (3.10 in 1977).

Career Records:

Record Number Player Years
Goals 271 Marsha Florio 1982-85
Assists 137 Maggie McCormick 2012-15
Points 380 Marsha Florio 1982-85
Draw Controls 278 Jenna Mosketti 2013-16
Saves 735 Lee Tortorelli 2002-05
Save % .725 Jody Field 1976-79
GAA 3.51 Jody Field 1976-79

Single-Season Records:

Record Number Player Year
Goals 79 Marsha Florio 1985
Assists 51 Megan Smith 1990
Points 109 Marsha Florio 1985
Saves 219 Lee Tortorelli 2004
Save % .748 Jody Field 1979
GAA 3.10 Jody Field 1977

Season-by-Season Performance

Historical Progression

The Penn State Nittany Lions women's lacrosse team has a rich history spanning over five decades. The program's journey reflects the evolution of women's collegiate lacrosse, from its early, less structured beginnings to its current status as a prominent NCAA Division I program within the highly competitive Big Ten Conference.

Statistics overview
Season Coach Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Unaffiliated (1965โ€“1972)
1965Margaret Fringer2-1
1966Virginia Harpster0-1
1967Virginia Harpster0-3-1
1968Ellen Perry5-1
1969Ellen Perry1-5
1970Ellen Perry2-4
1971Ellen Perry1-5
1972Ellen Perry3-4-1
USWLA (South District) (1973โ€“1980)
1973Ellen Perry3-5
1974Gillian Rattray7-1
1975Gillian Rattray8-2
1976Gillian Rattray8-1
1977Gillian Rattray9-1
1978Gillian Rattray14-0-1USWLA National Champions
1979Gillian Rattray17-0USWLA National Champions
1980Gillian Rattray14-1-2USWLA National Champions
AIAW (1981โ€“1982)
1981Gillian Rattray13-2AIAW Fifth Place
1982Gillian Rattray14-3AIAW Third Place
NCAA Division I (Independent) (1983โ€“2001)
1983Gillian Rattray14-2NCAA Semifinal
1984Gillian Rattray12-2NCAA Quarterfinal
1985Gillian Rattray14-4NCAA Semifinal
1986Susan Delaney-Scheetz16-2NCAA Runner-up
1987Susan Delaney-Scheetz17-2NCAA Champions
1988Susan Delaney-Scheetz15-4NCAA Runner-up
1989Susan Delaney-Scheetz19-1NCAA Champions
1990Julie Williams13-5NCAA Quarterfinal
1991Julie Williams14-4NCAA Semifinal
1992Julie Williams11-5NCAA Quarterfinal
1993Julie Williams11-5NCAA Quarterfinal
1994Julie Williams9-6
1995Julie Williams12-6NCAA Semifinal
1996Julie Williams11-5NCAA Quarterfinal
1997Julie Williams10-6NCAA Quarterfinal
1998Julie Williams10-8
1999Julie Williams15-5NCAA Semifinal
2000Karen Schnellenbach8-9
2001Suzanne Isidor8-10NCAA First Round
NCAA Division I (American Lacrosse Conference) (2002โ€“2014)
2002Suzanne Isidor8-94-2
2003Suzanne Isidor9-85-1
2004Suzanne Isidor6-113-3
2005Suzanne Isidor12-55-12ndNCAA First Round
2006Suzanne Isidor8-84-12nd
2007Suzanne Isidor9-80-45th
2008Suzanne Isidor5-120-45th
2009Suzanne Isidor9-82-2T-2nd
2010Suzanne Isidor10-71-4T-4th
2011Missy Doherty10-83-2T-2nd
2012Missy Doherty12-73-23rdNCAA Quarterfinal
2013Missy Doherty14-74-1T-1stNCAA Quarterfinal
2014Missy Doherty10-83-3T-3rdNCAA First Round
NCAA Division I (Big Ten Conference) (2015โ€“present)
2015Missy Doherty16-54-12ndNCAA Quarterfinal
2016Missy Doherty14-73-2T-2ndNCAA Semifinal
2017Missy Doherty17-45-12ndNCAA Semifinal
2018Missy Doherty10-103-33rdNCAA First Round
Total: 537-263-5 (.671)

      National champion         Conference tournament champion  

NCAA Tournament Performance

Championship Pedigree

The Penn State Nittany Lions have a distinguished record in NCAA postseason play, securing two national championships in 1987 and 1989. The program has reached the championship game four times and has made eleven appearances in the NCAA Final Four, underscoring its consistent presence among the nation's elite lacrosse programs.

Tournament Statistics

Across 25 NCAA tournament appearances, the Nittany Lions have compiled a postseason record of 23 wins and 23 losses (excluding third-place games). This extensive tournament history highlights the team's sustained competitiveness at the highest level of collegiate lacrosse.

Year Seed Round Opponent Score
1983--Quarterfinal
Semifinal
Third Place		Penn
Delaware
Massachusetts		W, 12-2
L, 5-7
W, 7-6 (ot)
1984--QuarterfinalDelawareL, 9-10
1985--SemifinalMarylandL, 11-12 (3ot)
1986--Semifinal
Final		Temple
Maryland		W, 8-7
L, 10-11
1987--Semifinal
Final		Virginia
Temple		W, 14-9
W, 7-6
1988--Quarterfinal
Semifinal
Final		Northwestern
Lafayette
Temple		W, 12-6
W, 8-6
L, 7-15
1989--Semifinal
Final		Temple
Harvard		W, 9-3
W, 7-6
1990--QuarterfinalTempleL, 4-9
1991--Quarterfinal
Semifinal		Lafayette
Virginia		W, 11-9
L, 5-10
1992--QuarterfinalVirginiaL, 5-11
1993--QuarterfinalPrincetonL, 7-11
1995--Quarterfinal
Semifinal		James Madison
Maryland		W, 11-7
L, 7-12
1996--QuarterfinalPrincetonL, 9-13
1997--QuarterfinalMarylandL, 2-6
1999--First Round
Quarterfinal
Semifinal		West Chester
#4 Princeton
#1 Maryland		W, 23-7
W, 9-7 (ot)
L, 13-17
2001#13First Round#4 DartmouthL, 7-9
2005#7First Round#5 North CarolinaL, 6-7 (3ot)
2012--First Round
Quarterfinal		#8 Towson
#1 Florida		W, 15-8
L, 2-15
2013#7First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinal		Canisius
Massachusetts
#2 Northwestern		W, 14-13
W, 12-9
L, 7-15
2014--First RoundPrincetonL, 13-16
2015--First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinal		Johns Hopkins
#7 Virginia
#2 North Carolina		W, 14-11
W, 13-11
L, 8-11
2016--First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinal
Semifinal		Winthrop
#2 Florida
#7 Penn
#3 North Carolina		W, 16-6
W, 14-13 (ot)
W, 8-4
L, 11-12
2017#4Second Round
Quarterfinal
Semifinal		James Madison
#5 Princeton
#1 Maryland		W, 19-14
W, 14-12
L, 10-20
2018--First RoundPennL, 14-15 (2ot)
2023--First RoundStony BrookL, 8-12

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References

References

A full list of references for this article are available at the Penn State Nittany Lions women's lacrosse Wikipedia page

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Disclaimer

Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on publicly available data from Wikipedia and aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the Penn State Nittany Lions women's lacrosse program.

This is not official university or athletic department content. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for official university communications, athletic department resources, or direct consultation with program representatives. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy based on the provided source, users are encouraged to verify critical details with official Penn State Athletics channels.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.