Piscataway, N.J. (February 5, 2013) - Rutgers women’s lacrosse opens its 2013 season, playing host to Manhattan this Saturday, Feb. 9. Game time is set for 11 a.m. at the RU Turf Field at the Stadium Complex and will be streamed live via RVision, presented by AT&T. 

RU will be led by senior midfielder Stephanie Anderson (Wading River, N.Y.), a preseason All-BIG EAST selection. Anderson paced the Scarlet Knights a season ago with 41 goals, posting 13-multi-goal games and finishing third in the BIG EAST in goals.

Rutgers also returns senior goalkeeper Lily Kalata (Nesconset, N.Y.), who finished second in the BIG EAST in goals against average (9.74) and registered 116 saves. 

Head coach Laura Brand Sias – entering her 11th season at the helm of RU – is on the precipice of her 100th career victory. The Rutgers grad comes into 2013 with two school-best 12-win seasons.

Rutgers holds a 4-0 lead in the all-time series against Manhattan. The two teams last met April 10, 2007, where Rutgers dominated the contest with an 18-3 home victory.

Manhattan will also be opening its 2013 campaign after posting a 2012 season record of 4-10 overall. The Jaspers return sophomore attack Donna Jo DiNorcia, who finished second on the team in points (29) and goals (23).

In the net for Manhattan will be sophomore Christina Fiorinelli, who registered a total of 143 saves with a .427 save percentage as a freshman.

The Scarlet Knights ended their 2012 campaign with a 9-7 record overall, finishing 4-4 in BIG EAST play for a fifth place finish.