Head Coach Cindy Hill and the Siena Heights women's lacrosse team is set to open up their 2017 season against Montreat (N.C.), on Monday. Last season, the Saints finished 7-8 overall and had a 3-6 Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference slate.

"We will definitely do better this year standing wise," state Hill when discussing the team's expectations. SHU is currently receiving-vote in the NAIA Top Ten Poll and look to improve upon that status this season.

Defense looks to be a key to the Saints' success, "Our new defense has been really confusing for our opponents and leads to more caused turnovers." Helping in those efforts is senior goalie Tabitha Ferguson. Last season, Ferguson earned a .430 save percentage while making 111 saves for SHU.

Offensively, Siena Heights returns seniors Kayla Parks and Aliisa Mason. Parks led the Saints with 34 goals in the 2016 season, also earning All-WHAC Honorable Mention honors. She was followed closely by Mason who earned 32 goals and 11 assists.

Newcomers on the team include strong defensemen Hannah Argue and Mackenzie Fisette, the midfield presence of Marissa Cirino and offense of Natalie Williams and Katherine Tapia, all looking to make an impact in their freshman season.

Hill looks to her young team for success, "We have a young team this year, which should give us better results and more depth." She looks forward to her upcoming games against Point (Ga.) and WHAC opponent Lourdes (Ohio), "Defeating Point in Georgia will get us inside the Top Ten, and if we can beat Lourdes that will help us standing wise in the WHAC."

Siena Heights will begin this season on Monday when they hit the road and head south to Montreat (N.C.). Face-off is set for 4 p.m. in the non-conference contest. The Saints will take on Point (Ga.) on Wednesday and Cumberlands (Ky.) on Thursday.