Women's Lacrosse Travels to No. 13 Notre Dame
March 07, 2014 | Women's Lacrosse
March 7, 2014
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The University of Louisville women's lacrosse team is continuing to fight through one of its toughest schedules arguably in program history. On Saturday, the Cardinals travel to Notre Dame for a 1 p.m. ET draw at Arlotta Family Lacrosse Stadium in South Bend, Ind.
In facing the No. 13 Fighting Irish, the Cardinals are playing their third ranked opponent in just six games this season. Louisville opened the year at then-No. 6 Duke, coming up just short in a 14-11 decision, but then upset Denver, 12-7, which was ranked No. 18 at the time nationally.
Louisville, which sits just outside the IWLCA's top 20, has fared well against the ranked competition. The Cardinals boast a 78.8 shooting on-goal percentage, hold a 34-24 advantage in ground balls and a 25-24 edge in draw controls, while causing 16 turnovers in just two contests.
Last time out, Louisville (4-2) dropped a 12-11 decision at Ohio State despite holding as much as a four-goal lead. Nikki Boltja scored four goals and had one assist, while Faye Brust totaled three goals, and Colleen O'Malley and Kaylin Morissette each netted two.
The Buckeyes, led by Jennifer Porretto's three goals and one assist, won the draw control battle 15-10 and also had a 20-17 edge in ground balls.
The Cardinals, who are looking to rebound in their fourth road game of the year, are led by Boltja's 26 goals and team-high 32 points. Morissette, who is third in goals, has a team-high 44 draw controls. Cortnee Daley, in addition to her 11 goals and 13 ground balls, has a team-best 10 caused turnovers.
Assistant coach Crysti Foote is quite familiar with the Fighting Irish, finishing her career as one of Notre Dame's most decorated players. Foote was a four-time all-region selection and a two-time All-American. She was named the BIG EAST Attack Player of the Year in 2006 and tabbed a Tewaaraton Trophy finlist that year. She holds the school's single-season record for point and single-game record for goals.
Through March 2, Louisville ranks 10th nationally in points (98), No. 11 in scoring margin (+7.00), and No. 12 in draw controls (15.60/game).
Notre Dame (4-2) is coming off its third-consecutive win, but most notably over No. 4 and powerhouse Northwestern. With 1:16 remaining in regulation, Lauren Sullivan scored the game-winner and the Fighting Irish held the Wildcats scoreless after that point.
The Fighting Irish were led by Cortney Fortunato's three scores and goalkeeper Allie Murray's eight saves. Collectively, Notre Dame had a 21-15 advantage in ground balls and held Northwestern to just 3-of-8 on free-position shots.
Through six games this season, Fortunato leads the team with 17 goals, while Rachel Sexton has tallied 13 and Caitlin Gargan scored 12. Margaret Smith has team highs in ground balls (15) and caused turnovers (13).
Notre Dame is under the direction of third-year coach Christine Halfpenny, who's led the program to a 25-10 record and a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances. In its first year in the ACC, Notre Dame was picked to finish sixth out of eight teams and Barbara Sullivan was tabbed a preseason all-conference selection.
For the latest information on Louisville women's lacrosse, log on to GoCards.com, or, for up-to-the-minute updates, follow the team's Twitter account at www.twitter.com/LouisvilleLax or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/UofLLacrosse.
