RIVER FALLS, Wis. - The UW-River Falls women's lacrosse team opens its 2022 campaign this Saturday, Feb. 18 in Minneapolis, Minn.

The Falcons are hosting a neutral site game versus Sewanee: The University Of The South, at Augsburg University. Game time is set for 7 p.m.



Coming off 9-3 overall record in 2021 in which the Falcons earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, the 2022 Falcons will be playing under a new coaching staff, led by first-year head coach Talia Hayes.

Hayes has experience as an assistant coach at the high school level, spending time as the Eastview High School (Apple Valley, Minn.) girls lacrosse varsity assistant coach since 2017. In addition, she spent time coaching the successful Minnesota Loons Select girls' lacrosse team, winning multiple tournaments. She also had a role with the Mounds View (MN) Youth Lacrosse organization. 

A three-year team captain and Midwest Women's Lacrosse All-Conference honoree at the University of Northwestern in St. Paul, Minn., Hayes is the Northwestern women's lacrosse all-time leading scorer with 258 points off 179 goals and 79 assists. She was also the league's Rookie of the Year and was a three-time Team MVP.

UWRF returns 83 percent of its scoring from last year's roster, including Emily Herdine and Emma Kohlbeck, who combined for 75 goals. Herdine led the team with 60 points.

Goalkeeper Ashley Olson returns after starting in nine of last year's 12 games, compiling a 4-2 record and .484 save percentage.

The Falcons host Wartburg College on March 5 for the 2022 home opener at Ramer Field.