Vanderbilt (2-3, 0-0 AAC) vs. Eastern Michigan (5-2, 0-0 MAC)
Wednesday, March 3 • Noon • ESPN+
Vanderbilt Lacrosse Complex • Nashville, Tenn.
Series History
• This will be the first matchup between the two programs
The Opponent
• Eastern is 5-2 overall and has won back-to-back road games, including a 13-10 victory at Austin Peay after downing Oregon (Feb. 22), 12-9. The Eagles are looking to post their second, three-game win streak of the season
• Eastern has been a team of two halves this year as the defense has allowed 54 goals in the first two quarters of play and only 30 total in the final two stanzas
• The Eagles have held foes to four or fewer second half goals in 5-of-7 games with the exceptions coming against Lindenwood (six goals) and at Canisius (nine)
The Scouting Report
• Emerson Henry was the offensive catalyst for the Eagles in their 13-10 come-from-behind win as she scored five goals for five points while adding eight draw controls. Her five goals, which surpassed the four she scored against Akron (April 20, 2025) at home, marked her fourth career hat trick and bettered her season high of two goals scored at Oregon one game prior
• Mackenzie Blackwell continues to rank among the best nationally as she holds three rankings among the top 30, including standing 15th in NCAA Division I with 20 goals. She also ranks 23rd in points with 28 while sitting 26th in shots per game with 7.00
Draw DOMINATION
• During the Dores game against Cincinnati, there were multiple school records:
• On the draw, Kiera Runske set a new single game school record, winning 14 draw controls. Brianne Gross was the previous record holder with 11 in a single game and Gross holds the career record of 282
• As a team, the Commodores won 22 draw controls, topping the previous team record of 20 which was set against Coastal Carolina in 2023
Goals on goals on goals
• During Friday’s performance against Cincinnati, the Commodores posted 22 goals which is the 12th time in program history with at least 22 goals and the most since 2019
• Graduate Nancy Halleron posted seven goals for the first time in her career, tying the third best single game record with Bri Gross who reached the feat in 2020, its also the most goals an individual scored since then
• Sophomore Bailey Lower had six scores, also a career best, tying herself for fifth most in a single game
Runske Defensive Player of the Week
• The American Conference announced its weekly awards Monday afternoon, headlined by Vanderbilt lacrosse sophomore Kiera Runske, who was named American Defensive Player of the Week. Sophomore Bailey Lower earned honorable mention
• Runske, a sophomore midfielder, broke a school record for most draw controls in a single game during Friday’s 22-10 win over Cincinnati. The Satellite Beach, Florida, native registered 14 of Vandy’s 22 wins in the circle. The Commodores’ 22 team draw controls also broke a school record for most in a single game
• Lower, a sophomore midfielder, had a career day, scoring six goals and adding two assists for eight points. The Nantucket, Massachusetts, native grabbed six draw controls in the Dores’ win over Cincinnati
