The Benedictine University women's lacrosse team is set to begin the 2021 season this evening with a home game against Carthage College. NO SPECTATORS ARE ALLOWED

Tonight's contest marks the beginning of the third season under head coach Hannah Sopeth. The 2020 season was cut short by the pandemic, but the team was off to a 3-3 start with a 1-1 conference mark.

"After losing the majority of our season last year I think the team is excited to be together playing the game that they love, said head coach Hannah Sopeth.  "We plan on picking up right where we left off."

The 2021 campaign brings a new challenge as the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference sponsors the sport for the first time. The NACC is now the only conference that Benedictine's athletic teams will play in following the addition of both men's and women's lacrosse. Benedictine is one of seven members in the conference's first year. The first ever NACC game for Benedictine will take place on March 31 at home against Concordia Chicago.

Women's lacrosse knows they are fortunate to be able to play while a pandemic still plagues the nation and world.

"I think the biggest goal we have for this year are to stay healthy and play as many games as we can," said head coach Hannah Sopeth. "With what's going on in the world I think all we can ask for is our health and being able to do the things we love. Winning a few games along the way would be a plus as well."

The roster of 13 players does include eight returning members from 2020. Kaylee Garcia scored a team best 17 goals in the six games last year and added three assists to finish second on the team in scoring. Three other players who scored at least once that return to the roster include Victoria House (6 Goals), Maria Trevino (5 Goals) and Jessica Lindsay (4 Goals).

The defense returns two goalies and two backline players. Margaret Pinkston recorded 47 saves in goal and will also see some time in the field this year along with Amaris Hernandez, who stopped five shots in her lone appearance last season. Teciana Garay picked up 13 groundballs and caused five turnovers while Mia Flamini started all six games.

With a near full schedule of 13 contests beginning today, the biggest key to success will be communication.

"The biggest key to our success this year is communicating properly as a team while having mutual respect for each other," Sopeth said. "It's all about the small building blocks to create a positive output."

Follow all the action this year with LIVE VIDEO