March 27, 2012
NORFOLK, Va. - The Old Dominion University Women's Lacrosse team travels to No. 9 Virginia on Wednesday in their final non-conference game of the regular season. The Lady Monarchs and Cavaliers are set for first draw at 7 p.m. at Klöckner Stadium.
Old Dominion (3-6) split their games last week as they drubbed Longwood in midweek, 21-6, and then fell at home in a heartbreaker to Virginia Tech, 13-12. Wednesday’s win at Longwood was ODU’s most complete performance of the season as it was the fourth most goals scored in school history and the fourth largest margin of defeat as 11 different Lady Monarchs scored and eight of those players had multiple goals. Three players (Bernardini, Wright and Hartrum) scored hat tricks on Saturday against the Hokies to help aid a comeback but Virginia Tech scored three of the final four goals after a lightning delay to capture the tight 13-12 victory.
Continuing to spread the wealth offensively, five different Lady Monarchs now have double-digit goals and a total of 15 different ODU players have scored a goal this season. Seniors Lisa Bernardini (20), Rebecca Hartrum (18), Sarah Wright (13) and Rebecca Reymann (11) lead the charge in goals while sophomore Emily Austerberry (12) has also been a big contributor. In goal, senior Sarah Geary has caused seven turnovers, racked up 22 groundballs and picked up 65 saves while allowing 95 goals on the season. ODU currently ranks 11th in the NCAA (Division I) in groundballs per game at 18.44 per contest.
No. 9 Virginia (6-4) is coming off a 14-12 upset of No. 6 Duke in Durham. The Cavaliers, winners of three of their last four games, have defeated both William & Mary and James Madison this season out of the CAA. ODU and UVA have faced two common opponents in Richmond and North Carolina. UVA defeated the Spiders but feel to the Tar Heels while ODU dropped games to both squads this season. The Cavaliers hold a 32-2 all-time series lead. ODU last won in 2009 when they upset No. 9 UVA, 13-10, in Norfolk. The Lady Monarchs are still in search of their first win in the series in Charlottesville.
The Cavaliers have four players with double-digit goals on the year and are led by senior attacker Josie Owen who has 20 goals and 26 assists. She ranks fourth nationally in assists and sixth in points per game. Freshman attacker Sloan Warren has added 16 goals while redshirt freshman midfielder Liza Blue and redshirt senior attacker Ainsley Baker have 14 goals apiece. In goal, junior Kim Kolarik has 68 saves and 98 goals against her on the season.
Live stats will be available along with updates on Twitter at @ODULacrosse.