via Saint Leo website/press releases

Women’s Lacrosse Announces Captains for 2024

SAINT LEO, Fla. – Saint Leo University women’s lacrosse head coach Caitlin Hansen has announced her captains for the 2024 season. The Lions will be led by senior defender Reagan Buhrman, junior attack Delaney Gilchrist, and sophomore goalie Jessica Harclerode.

“I am very excited to announce our three captains for spring 2024,” said Hansen. “They represent our program well and exemplify what it means to be a Lion. I believe having these three leaders at the helm of our program will not only set us up for a strong spring but will poise us for future success as well.”

Buhrman, a senior defender from Center Harbor, N.H., enters her second year leading the Lions. She has been a defensive wall for the Green and Gold. In 2023, she caused 19 turnovers and collected 29 ground balls to land herself a spot on the All-SSC second team. She was second on the team with 68 draw controls.

“Being a captain is an honor, as well as a responsibility that fuels my passion for leading, inspiring, and contributing to the hard work and commitment brought every day by my teammates, which continues to foster both team and individual successes,” said Buhrman.

“Reagan is a returning captain from last year and is one of the best leaders I have had the privilege to coach at Saint Leo,” said Hansen. “Her enthusiasm and passion for the game and our program is unmatched, and I know her presence and heart will be a huge asset to our young team this spring.”

“I am beyond excited to get to lead such a special group of girls this year,” said Gilchrist. “I can’t wait to show everyone what we are all about and punch the clock!”

“Delaney is a great person and teammate,” said Hansen. “She is a stud in the classroom and sets a positive example for the team with her maturity and well roundedness. She has really stepped up this fall, and I know she is ready to lead this team on and off the field.”

Harclerode, a sophomore goalie from Sayville, N.Y., is coming off a freshman campaign that saw her claim the 2023 SSC Freshman of the Year honors. She led the SSC in total saves per game (9.29) and finished second overall in save percentage (.449). Harclerode started every game for the Lions spending 939 minutes between the pipes. She had her best game twice, making 13 saves against both Montevallo (March 11) and Colorado Mesa (March 21). 

“It is an honor to be chosen as one of the captains for the 2024 season,” said Harclerode. “Being a captain to me is much more than just a title. I will not only lead my team but I will lead by example. As a sophomore, this is a learning experience experience for me and I am extremely lucky to be learning from some of the most talented and amazing teammates I’ve ever had. I am excited for the challenge this will bring and the for this season. I believe with the group we have this year we are capable of being a very successful team. Special shout-out to Coach Hansen for always believing in me since I arrived on campus as a freshman.”

“Jess is only a sophomore, but she has carried herself as a leader since the day she arrived on campus,” said Hansen. “She is unafraid to have an opinion and to advocate for her teammates. I think she will continue to develop her leadership skills this spring and learn from her fellow captains, Reagan and Delaney.”

Gilchrist, a junior attacker from Marietta, Ga., had 10 points in 2023 with eight goals and a pair of assists, while four goals were free position goals. She had her only multi-goal game when she scored a pair of goals in a 13-11 victory against Seton Hill (March 7), including the eventual game-winning goal. 

The Lions are set to kick off the 2024 season with a pair of non-conference road matches outside of the state of Florida. Saint Leo heads to Alabama-Huntsville (Feb. 16) before making the two and half hour drive to Shorter (Feb. 17). 

Click here for the full 2024 schedule with dates and times. 

**********

Women’s Lacrosse Announces 2024 Schedule

SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo University women’s lacrosse head coach Caitlin Hansen has announced her team’s upcoming 2024 schedule, featuring 16 games with 10 at University Turf Stadium.

“We are excited to announce our home-heavy schedule for 2024,” said Hansen. “We welcome some familiar non-conference opponents in March and look forward to all three match-ups with Gulf South Conference rivals in February. I believe this schedule will prepare us for the high-quality opponents we will see in late March and April as we enter SSC play. I know the team is excited for the spring and will be working toward earning a spot in post-season play.”

In addition to its Sunshine State Conference schedule, Saint Leo will take on nine non-conference opponents. The 2024 schedule features five 2023 NCAA tournament participants and a pair of conference champions in Flagler and Tampa. The Lions have played every team on the 2024 schedule at least once in program history, the Green and Gold will take on three opponents for the first time since before 2020 in Shorter (2015), Molloy (2018), and Belmont Abbey (2019). 

The season will open with stops at Alabama-Huntsville (Feb. 16) and Shorter (Feb. 17) followed by six straight at home from February 24 – March 14. 

Non-conference opponents making stops at University Turf Stadium include Flagler (Feb. 24), Seton Hill (Pa.) (March 3), Assumption (March 6), Belmont Abbey (March 9), Molloy (March 12), Bentley (March 14), and Montevallo (March 23). 

SSC opponents making the trip to Saint Leo in 2024 include Lynn (April 6), Palm Beach Atlantic (April 10), and Florida Tech (April 16). 

The Lions road conference opponents include Florida Southern (March 20), Rollins (March 30), Tampa (April 3), and Embry-Riddle (April 13). 

About the 2024 schedule
Six consecutive home games is the most since the Lions played 11 straight at home in 2022.  

The five NCAA participants in 2023 went a combined 3-5 with Florida Southern advancing to the national semifinals. 

Two regular season games will be played outside of the state of Florida. SLU is set to open the season with stops in Alabama and Georgia. Only twice in the program’s 13-year history has every game been played in the state of Florida (2021, 2022).

The Lions will see a familiar face on the opponent’s sideline when Seton Hill comes to town. Dina Cifelli will make her return to Saint Leo as the first-year head coach of the Griffins. Cifelli spent the past three seasons on the Saint Leo sideline. 

Saint Leo previously played Shorter in 2015. The Lions posted their only shutout in program history defeating the Hawks, 18-0, on April 12, 2015. At the time, this was also the largest margin of victory for the Lions. 

2024 SCHEDULE 
February
16 – at Alabama-Huntsville 
17 – at Shorter 
24 – vs. Flagler

March 
4 – vs. Seton Hill (Pa.)
6 – vs. Assumption 
9 – vs. Belmont Abbey 
12 – vs. Molloy 
14 – vs. Bentley 
20 – at Florida Southern* 
23 – vs. Montevallo
30 – at Rollins* 

April
3 – at Tampa* 
6 – vs. Lynn*
10 – vs. Palm Beach Atlantic*
13 – at Embry-Riddle*
16 – vs. Florida Tech*
20 – SSC Tournament Quarterfinals
25 – SSC Tournament Semifinals
28 – SSC Tournament Final

For the latest news, updates, and information on Saint Leo women’s lacrosse, visit SaintLeoLions.com.  Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Lions news by following Saint Leo Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.