Women's Lacrosse Takes Trip to Temple, Villanova This Weekend
April 10, 2014 | Women's Lacrosse
April 10, 2014
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The University of Louisville women's lacrosse team is bringing its nearly month-long road trip to a close this weekend. The Cardinals head to Temple for a 3 p.m. contest on Friday and wrap up the weekend at Villanova on Sunday at noon.
The trek to the state of Pennsylvania will be a homecoming of sorts for many of the Cardinals. In total, 18 Cardinals will be playing less than six hours from their hometowns, including four from Pennsylvania. Friday's matchup features the first time meeting in series history between Louisville and Temple.
Louisville, which has been playing away from home since March 19, is on a four-game winning streak and recently moved up to No. 19 in the IWLCA poll. The Cardinals also sit at No. 19 in the Brine Division I Women's Media Poll and in Lacrosse Magazine's rankings.
In the national statistical rankings, Louisville jumped to No. 1 overall in draw controls at 16.91 per game, No. 9 in scoring offense with 15.0 goals per game, and No. 13 in scoring margin at +6.18.
Louisville (8-3) improved to 2-0 in league play, keeping the Cardinals in a three-way tie atop the BIG EAST standings following their 23-2 victory over Cincinnati on Sunday. Thirteen players scored in the win in which Louisville tied a single-game record for goals and broke the record for points with 35.
Kaylin Morissette, the reigning BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week, had one caused turnover in the victory and broke her single game school record with 14 draw controls. Jamie Redding, who was named to the weekly honor roll, had one goal and five assists. Three players registered a hat trick in the contest: Laura Patterson, Cortnee Daley, and Hannah Koloski.
 Faye Brust, who has 17 goals over her last four games, is playing 90 minutes from her hometown in Maryland.  | |
Through 11 games this season, Nikki Boltja ranks third in goals per game (3.82), sixth in goals (42), sixth in points per game (5.00), and 10th in points (55). Morissette, who has 96 draw controls this season, ranks second in the nation at 8.73 per game.
Temple, which has dropped five of its last seven games, enters the meeting with a 4-7 record, including a 1-1 conference mark.
The Owls logged their first BIG EAST victory on Saturday with a 12-10 decision over Villanova. Jaymie Tabor totaled a game-best four goals, while Rachel Schwaab had three scores in the win. Jagi Kakalecik made 10 saves for her third victory of the year.
The Owls are under the direction of eighth-year coach Bonnie Rosen. Offensively, Tabor is leading the team with 25 goals, while Nicole Tiernan has registered 16 scores. Maddie McTique ranks first on the squad with 25 draw controls, and Summer Jaros has a team-leading 10 caused turnovers to anchor the defense.
Prior to facing Louisville on Sunday, Villanova plays Cincinnati at home on Friday. The Wildcats currently own a 6-5 overall record, with a 1-1 mark in league action.
Villanova last played on Saturday, falling to Temple 12-10. The Wildcats forced 13 Temple turnovers and were led offensively by Hannah Goforth, Meghan Breen, and Kelsey Denihan, who each had three scores.
The Wildcats are under the direction of third-year coach Julie Young and rank 36th nationally in scoring defense, holding opponents to 9.45 goals per game. Breen is leading the squad with 20 goals per game, while Chelsey Henderson has totaled 13 goals and 12 assists. Henderson also has a team-best 27 draw controls and 22 ground balls.
The Cardinals are 5-1 all-time against the Wildcats, including a 2-1 record in Villanova.
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.
