Women's Lacrosse Concludes Regular Season at Home
April 25, 2013 | Women's Lacrosse
April 25, 2013
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The University of Louisville women's lacrosse team concludes the regular season this weekend with a pair of BIG EAST contests against Rutgers and Villanova at the UofL Lacrosse Stadium.
The Cardinals face the Scarlet Knights on Friday, April 26, at 5 p.m. and then return to action on Sunday, April 28, versus the Wildcats at 1 p.m. Admission is free to all home contests, and the Cardinals will honor their three seniors - Janaye Dzikewich, Katie Oliverio, and Danielle Pawliw - on Sunday.
Louisville (9-6, 1-5 BIG EAST) snapped a two-game skid by beating Cincinnati 18-10 last weekend. Eight different Cardinals scored in the win, including Cortnee Daley, who finished with a game-high four goals. Oliverio dished out three assists, giving her 37 for the season. Louisville outshot Cincinnati 44-23 and held a 17-12 advantage in ground balls. Cincinnati turned the ball over 16 times, while Louisville lost possession just eight times, only twice in the second period.
Nikki Boltja leads the team with 54 goals this year, a total that ranks fourth nationally. Her 3.6 goals per game is third-best nationally and, with her 10 assists, Boltja is No. 21 nationally in points with 64. Oliverio ranks 13th in the country in assists per game (2.47) and 14th in total assists. Collectively, the Cardinals rank No. 9 draw controls per game, in large part to Monica Negron's 4.07 average, and Louisville is 10th in scoring offense (14.13).
Rutgers (9-6, 1-5) has dropped four of its last five games, including two straight. The Scarlet Knights fell to Georgetown 13-5 on April 19 and then dropped a 10-4 decision to Loyola (Md.) on their Senior Day on April 21.
Georgetown raced out to a 9-1 lead in Rutgers' first of two losses last week. Five different Hoyas had multi-goal performances, directed by Meghan Farrell's hat trick. The Hoyas outshot the Scarlet Knights 31-17 and forced 16 of Rutgers' 23 turnovers. The Scarlet Knights also had trouble clearing the ball out of their zone, going just 11-of-18 on clear attempts. Katrina Martinelli scored three goals in the loss.
In the loss to the Greyhounds, the Scarlet Knights tallied just two goals in each half and went just of 2-of-10 on free-position attempts. Halley Barnes led Rutgers with two goals on seven shots. Loyola had six players register goals in the win, including Marlee Paton, who scored a hat trick. The Greyhounds' goalkeeper Molly Wolf made 14 saves for the victory.
The Scarlet Knights are under the direction of 11th-year coach Laura Brand-Sias, who has led the program to a 96-80 record. Rutgers is led by Martinelli on offense, as she has team highs of 33 goals, nine assists, and 42 points. Megan Clements has added 20 goals. Jenny Vlahos ranks first on the team with 43 draw controls, and Hollie DiMuro has team bests of 36 ground balls and 23 caused turnovers.
Villanova (5-9, 0-6) faces Cincinnati on Friday before traveling to Louisville. The Cardinals are 4-1 all-time against the Wildcats, winning the last four meetings.
The Wildcats have dropped their last six games, including a close 6-5 decision at home against then-No. 8 Georgetown. The teams scored just two goals each at the half, and Georgetown's Rosie Corcoran tallied the game-winning goal with 9:34 remaining in the game. Villanova's Jackie Froccaro scored a game-high four goals, but the Wildcats were plagued by 17 turnovers and went just 11-of-16 on free-position attempts.
Villanova, under the guidance of second-year coach Julie Young, is led by Jessica Mucci's 46 points. Froccaro has a team-best 35 goals, and six other players have recorded double-digit goal totals this year. Amanda Hirschfeld has a team-high 28 ground balls, and Shawna Giust is first on the squad with 36 draw controls.
