Louisville Lacrosse Adds Three UMass Transfers for 2009
June 02, 2008 | Women's Lacrosse
June 2, 2008
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - University of Louisville lacrosse head coach Kellie Young announced Monday that former University of Massachusetts players Ashley King, Lyndsay Ward and Aimee Dixon have signed financial aid agreements with U of L and will join the Cards' lacrosse program for the 2008-09 academic year. All three athletes will be eligible to compete in 2009, the Cards' first season in the BIG EAST Conference.
"I'm thrilled that these three student-athletes have chosen to join the Louisville family," said Young, who led the Cards to an impressive 12-4 record in the program's inaugural season in 2008. "Three talented players who are also incredible young women, they will be tremendous assets to both our program and the university, on and off of the field."
King, a defender from Shoreham, N.Y., will have two years of eligibility remaining after playing in four games in 2008 for the Minutewomen. In her first season with UMass in 2007, she was named to the WomensLacrosse.com All-American Rookie Team as the only defender on the squad after leading her squad with 40 ground balls and starting in all 17 games. She was also named to the IWLCA All-Region Second Team and the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team. A graduate of Shoreham-Wading High School, King was a two-time all-county selection and an Academic All-American as a senior.
"Ashley is an outstanding defender, who will add to our defense in more ways than one," said Young. "Her determination in going after ground balls is relentless, an area where we lacked this past season. She also brings the calmness of a `settled' defender, who will mark up on our opponents' top attacker and deny their intended opportunities to score."
Ward, a midfielder from Wyckoff, N.J., will have two years of eligibility remaining after playing in six games for UMass in 2008. As a sophomore, she had one goal, two ground balls, one draw control and two caused turnovers for the Minutewomen. A graduate of Ramapo High School, Ward was a four-time, first team all-league selection and a three-time All-North Jersey selection.
"Lyndsay's commitment brings additional speed and endurance to our team," Young said. "Lacrosse is a 60-minute sprint, where often times the team that has the most depth and is most rested will make the best decisions at the end of a game to cement the win. Lyndsay also brings a diligent work ethic, which will help her quickly adjust to our style of play and allow her to have a positive impact for us immediately."
Dixon, a midfielder from Andover, Mass., will have three years of eligibility remaining after playing in five games for the Minutewomen in 2008. She averaged two ground balls per game in her first collegiate season and had three draw controls. A graduate of North Andover High School, Dixon was a three-time CAI All Star selection and registered 36 goals and 25 assists as a senior.
"Aimee has the potential to be a program player," Young said. "She has tremendous speed and athleticism, as well as a strong understanding of the game. Although she is more defensive in nature, we will look for her to mature into a true middie, who can impact both ends of the field while being part of a threatening defense as well as feeding and scoring on the attack."
Louisville lacrosse completed its inaugural varsity season on May 4 with a 20-4 win at Howard University. The Cards closed 2008 with a 12-4 record, including five straight wins to close the season.
