Women's Collegiate Lacrosse Associates

The LSU women’s lacrosse team is off to a 3-0 start for the season and has obtained the No. 5 national WCLA ranking. 

The unbeaten start is the best in program history, and the team has qualified for the Texas Women’s Lacrosse League playoffs in each of its three years of existence. 

The team opened the season with three consecutive home games at the LSU UREC fields, scoring wins over Sam Houston State, Houston and Baylor.

The team won its first three games in dominating fashion, outscoring its opponents, 49-15. Team president Suzanne Nibley credited the strong start to multiple factors including contribution from first-time players new to the sport. 

“We’ve had to teach some girls how to play, but they’ve really stepped up,” Nibley said. “These girls have never picked up a stick before, but now they’re helping us win.”

The team’s leading scorer is junior Taylor Reeves, who has scored 14 goals, including seven in the team’s last game against Houston. Reese Gassie and Alaena Gadwell have also made an offensive impact, scoring 12 and 10 goals, respectively.

The team’s offensive onslaught has been complemented by a stout defense to begin the season. Junior goalkeeper Kaci Rogers has saved 60 percent of shots fired against her and has yet to give up double-digit goals in a game

this season.

Rogers was new to lacrosse when she joined the team at LSU her freshman year. In three short seasons, she has become one of the best goalkeepers in the country.

“Sixty percent is usually unheard of,” Nibley Said. “Goalies usually shoot for about 35 percent.”

However, Rogers said the strong start has been a total club effort.

“The team’s dedication to lacrosse has helped us win,” Rogers said. “Being a club sport, we have to basically pay to play, so we need the dedication from not only our players, but our coaches and all of the other people that support us.” 

The team will travel to Dallas this weekend for two important games against North Texas and TCU. LSU can clinch a playoff spot with another weekend sweep.

Nibley said lacrosse is growing as a sport at LSU given the success of both the men’s and women’s teams. The men’s team is also undefeated at 5-0 after its victory at TCU last weekend. 

“With both teams playing well, it’s getting a lot bigger and I think we’re making our presence known,” Nibley said. “We want to show LSU that we’re a big competitor, and we deserve to be a varsity sport.” 

You can reach Mario Jerez on Twitter @MjerezIIITDR.