MOUNT ST. MARY'S (1-7) vs. COLUMBIA (2-5)
Sunday, March 30, 2014, 12 p.m.
Emmitsburg, Md. | Waldron Family Stadium

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MOUNT UPDATE: Sunday's game is the Mount's final test before beginning NEC play on April 4 versus Central Connecticut. Goalkeeper Steph Rurkowski ranks seventh in the nation with 10.13 saves per game. Offensively, Erin Seipp and Lindsay Diaz lead the Mount with 12 and 10 goals, respectively. 

LAST TIME OUT: The Mount was handed an 18-5 road loss at Duquesne on March 23. Erin Seipp scored three goals, notching her third multi-goal game of the season. Seniors Aubrey Rubino and Bridget McGann also chipped in with goals for the Mount. 

ABOUT COLUMBIA: The Lions have lost two in a row, most recently falling to Princeton on March 26 by a 15-5 final score.  Paige Cuscovitch leads three Columbia players with double-digit goals with a team-best 18. Taylor Quinn ranks ninth among Division I players with 3.33 ground balls per game. 

LAST YEAR VS. COLUMBIA: In a 15-4 road loss at Columbia last spring, four different Mount players scored goals with Aubrey Rubino, Kaitlyn Larrimore, Lindsay Diaz and Erin Seipp all finding the back of the net. The Mount held a 31-29 advantage in ground balls, but was outshot by a 34-15 margin. For Columbia, Kacie Johnson scored five goals and dished out two assists to lead the offense. 

ALL-TIME SERIES VS. COLUMBIA: The Mount is 0-2 versus the Lions with both games coming on the road in New York City. The Mount fell to Columbia by a final score of 14-5 on Feb. 29, 2012 before dropping a 15-4 decision last season on Feb. 23. 

GAINING POSSESSION: The Mount has improved in the area of winning draw controls this season. Last time out in an 18-5 road loss at Duquesne, the Mount won 13 draws to Duquesne's 11. Last home game in a loss to UMBC on March 15, the Mount held a 13-6 advantage on draw controls. After finishing last in the NEC with 8.17 draw controls per game a year ago, the Mount now ranks fifth in the NEC with 10.25 per game. 

MULTI-GOAL GAMES: Erin Seipp and Lindsay Diaz are tied for the team lead with three multi-goal games apiece. Kelly Maloney has two games with two or more goals, while Hannah Gutcher has secured one multi-goal game this season. 

MOUNT AT HOME: The Mountaineers are 0-4 at home this season and 36-31 all-time at Waldron Family Stadium. 

IN THE NATION: Sophomore goalkeeper Steph Rurkowski ranks seventh in the nation with 10.13 saves per game. Rurkowski's .438 save percentage is the best in the NEC.

NEC PRESEASON POLL: Sunday's action concludes non-conference play for the Mount this season as the team prepares for the NEC portion of its schedule. The Mount received two first-place votes and was selected to finish second in the NEC Preseason Coaches Poll. Bryant picked up the remaining six top votes to be named the preseason favorite in the eight-team league.

UP NEXT: The Mount hosts Central Connecticut State at Waldron Family Stadium for the Northeast Conference opener on Friday, April 4, at 4 p.m.